DANIEL Farke admits that the forthcoming final international break of 2026 arrives at a timely juncture for Leeds United - and it has nothing to do with their recent form.

United, who host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League's lunch-time game on Saturday, head into the game on the back of a five-match winless run at league level - their joint-longest sequence without a top-flight victory this calendar year.

Farke's chief concern is not the form table, but the fact that some key offensive players have been playing with some injury concerns lately.

Noah Okafor (abductor), who missed last weekend's loss at Bournemouth, has not trained with the team this week.

placeholder image — Leeds United boss Daniel Farke.

Neither has Anton Stach (toe). The pair will be assessed today regarding their possible involvement this weekend.

A foot issue also forced Dominic Calvert-Lewin to miss training on Thursday, although Farke is cautiously optimistic that the England international will be back today.

Although it remains to be seen if he is named in the Three Lions' squad for their Nations League games against Croatia and Spain. The squad will be announced this morning.

One significant positive is Joe Rodon's return to team training this week; he has been out since the end of August with a hamstring injury. The defender might be involved in some capacity against his former club.

Rodon has been named in Wales' squad for their forthcoming Nations League qualifiers with Norway and Portugal. Given his length of absence, Leeds will understandably be keen that any involvement is managed sensibly during the break.

Stach will not be present on international duty, as he was not named in Germany's 23-man party for games against Serbia and the Netherlands.

Farke said: "I think this next international break comes at a good time for us because we have the chance right now to get rid of all the problems for Anton, Noah Okafor and (potentially) Dominic Calvert-Lewin and this will be beneficial.

"But I'm not just looking ahead (about) what will be in three weeks or whatever. It's not the easiest situation at the moment especially offensive-wise (with options), but we want to stay together and fight together and also make sure that in perhaps not the best situation, we still are able to dig in and grind out a result in this important game."

Meanwhile, Farke has praised the mentality of Stach, who has come on from the bench in United's past two matches after receiving pain-killing injections.

The former Hoffenheim player also suffered a broken finger earlier this season and posted on his Instagram account this week to reveal that he was having a testing time with injury ailments.

Farke commented: "I didn't want to speak in public about exactly what his injury is, also to protect him a little bit.

"But I think before we start secret discussions or whatever, these are all high-profile athletes and they are really on the highest level. Each and every detail and small percentage can disturb them in their performances. "Anton has been playing with a broken finger, with tape around his hand.

"Obviously, the finger for outfield players is perhaps not that decisive, but it's of course not ideal. But also since a few weeks he's dealing with a broken toe. His little toe is broken and that is of course painful.

"That was the reason he was not involved in the starting line-ups in the last weeks.

"But we still don't want to miss out on Anton and we are all happy that he was willing to suffer and sacrifice himself, even just to be on the bench. Because it's the same with Joe Rodon, he's important for the whole group.

"And even if I can just bring him in for 15 or 20 minutes, it's still Anton Stach who can produce a moment of magic, perhaps with a good free-kick or corner kick."