Daniel Farke will sit down with the media on Friday afternoon to preview Leeds United’s Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Wednesday at midday on Sunday, with the Championship clash set to be screened live on ITV.

By that time, United will know whether a win is needed to go back top of the table or if the team has a chance to extend their lead at the summit, with the gap currently a single point. Farke is expected to be asked questions on a number of pressing topics at Thorp Arch ahead of the clash with the transfer window rolling on.

Piroe and Bamford injury updates

News on Joel Piroe is keenly awaited, with the striker missing last weekend’s FA Cup win over Harrogate Town due to muscle complaints. The attacker’s issue is only minor and his omission against Harrogate was out of choice rather than necessity.

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Sitting on 10 goals, Piroe is the club’s top scorer this season and the only player in the squad to reach double figures up to this point. Mateo Joseph lacked a clinical finish when fielded against Harrogate and the setback to Patrick Bamford means Farke has fewer options to hand.

Bamford is not expected back until the end of January, although the manager said there is a possibility he returns slightly earlier depending on how rehabilitation goes. But with fellow striker Joe Gelhardt now loaned to Hull City, Bamford’s fitness further increases in importance amid thinning options.

Transfer plans

Such is the time of year, the topic of transfers will always be a common theme in press conferences but it perhaps takes on a new importance given the exits of two players this week.

Both Gelhardt and Charlie Crew - loaned to Doncaster this week - had played bit-parts in Farke’s squad this season, however their exits still leave the squad slimmed. A lot of talk has centred on the striker strength and also the number 10 position.

There have been questions over who is the back up to Brenden Aaronson and against Harrogate, Farke decided to play Manor Solomon in the role ahead of Wilfried Gnonto or another option. He was the standout player in the match but there is a debate over how he would fare in the role against tougher opposition.

Meslier mood

It seemed it was always the case that Karl Darlow would come in for Illan Meslier for the FA Cup match and it was well-timed for the Frenchman given his blunder against Hull. Darlow performed sturdily in his place albeit there was nothing to suggest Farke would change his No 1 pick.

In fact, despite admitting he had a "poor" performance against Hull, the German threw his weight behind Meslier last week, so the main talking point here is how he has been in the build-up. Has he elevated his levels? Orr are there signs of anxiousness?

The error at Hull was not his first this season and it is feasible to suggest that, should Leeds get promoted, he is fighting to show he can be trusted in the Premier League. Given all of what is at stake, Meslier’s mindset has to be in a strong place.

Sheffield Wednesday

Leeds are unbeaten in their last 17 Yorkshire derbies, having won 12 and drawn the other five. The Whites are unbeaten in three meetings with the Owls, who sit four points off a play-off spot.

Wednesday come into the contest with just one win in four Championship matches, having also been knocked out of the FA Cup by Coventry City on penalties last weekend. Attacker Josh Windass has the same number of goals as Piroe and so is one Farke will have tabs on.

Centre-forward Michael Smith is also a threat with six assists accompanying his five goals this season. Leeds will be confident of maintaining their excellent Yorkshire derby streak and Farke may be asked to elaborate on he plans to deal with Danny Rohl’s arsenal.