JUST IN: Daniel Farke emphasizes Leeds United’s focus on the FA Cup but insists he won’t take any “risks” at Plymouth.

Leeds United is gearing up for a crucial clash against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night, with manager Daniel Farke emphasizing the importance of taking the FA Cup seriously. Farke, however, is cautious not to take unnecessary risks in his selection for the Plymouth match, considering the upcoming Championship game against Rotherham United on Saturday.

Despite the potential for the South West trip to be viewed as a distraction from Leeds’ primary goal of securing promotion to the Premier League this season, Farke recognizes the significance of the FA Cup, especially with a fifth-round tie against either Chelsea or Aston Villa at stake. The German coach will maintain a strong squad for the Home Park encounter, even though Jamie Shackleton is likely to miss the game due to illness, ruling out the presence of Dan James and Pascal Struijk.

Expressing his perspective on the upcoming replay, Farke stated, “I would have preferred to be more effective in the last game and not have to travel, but it is better to play than be out.” Emphasizing the team’s commitment to advancing in the cup competition, he added, “We want to go as far as possible, and it’s important we are fully focused on this game. They are a good side, especially as it’s an away game and long travel, so we have to be focused to go to the next round, and that’s what we want to do. I am a big believer in cup competitions. We won’t risk anyone with our team selection, but we want to play a strong side.”

Regarding team news, Farke mentioned Shackleton’s illness and noted, “Jamie Shackleton is unwell with illness, and he hasn’t trained today, so he is a major doubt. All other players came through the last game without any knocks.” The winner of the FA Cup replay will face either Aston Villa or Chelsea away in the fifth round, with Leeds looking to maintain their competitive edge as they return to Elland Road to face Rotherham United on Saturday.