Javi Gracia press conference highlights as Leeds United coach reveals Wöber hope and 'different issues'

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Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia hosts his pre-match press conference this afternoon ahead of Monday evening’s Premier League tie versus Liverpool

Leeds coach Gracia is expected to provide an update on the availability of his players with supporters hoping Austrian defender Max Wober is back in the fold for Monday night’s game.

Wober has been out for the past three matches since suffering a hamstring injury on international duty and in the interim period, Leeds have conceded ten goals.

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Tyler Adams is not expected to make a return any time soon after undergoing surgery on a separate hamstring issue picked up in training last month.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Leeds head coach Javi Gracia reacts on the sidelines during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Crystal Palace at Elland Road on April 09, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Leeds head coach Javi Gracia reacts on the sidelines during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Crystal Palace at Elland Road on April 09, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Leeds head coach Javi Gracia reacts on the sidelines during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Crystal Palace at Elland Road on April 09, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Gracia is often tight-lipped on his injured players but is likely to disclose fitness information given the length of time that has passed since last week’s double-header against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Monday’s game is the third in-a-row at Elland Road with Leeds hoping to lift themselves clear of the drop-zone after slipping back down to 16th following defeat by Crystal Palace on Easter Sunday.

Live updates and Gracia quotes from Thorp Arch this afternoon, right here.

Javi Gracia press conference live

I think Adam is coming from a long-term injury, good news for us to have this player with us training everyday, it’s healthy for the group. He’s a centre-midfielder and as you know we don’t have many options in that position. It’s good news for all of us.

Gracia on what changed vs Palace

The same way I decide the players before the game, I try to decide what I think is better for the team. Sometimes because a player has one yellow card, for example Junior was on yellow card, again against Wolves I took Junior out as they put Adama there and I wanted fresh legs there. You have to make many decisions in a short time. These changes not because we were playing bad. My decisions until now are not because the players are playing in a bad way. I believe and trust all my players.

Gracia on bouncing back

I think never is easy to manage after a defeat. Always you live better with good results. It’s necessary sometimes to feel disappointed and to learn, to grow up, it’s important to feel that experience if you learn from it. Then, in this case I think the players felt that difficult moment and now for the rest of the season, I hope it help us for these games and to compete better.

Gracia on Liverpool win in October

I know. We got a good result in the first game but now everything change and we have to be ready for other game. Of course for the mentality of the players it’s good, they know we are able to get a good result there but all of them know it’s another game.