SHOCKING ANNOUNCEMENT:Leeds United goal keeper karl Darlow will be out against Chelsea confirmed by Daniel Farke due to…..see more

Leeds United have been dealt a major blow ahead of their highly anticipated encounter against Chelsea, with head coach Daniel Farke confirming that first-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow will be unavailable for the match.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Farke revealed that Darlow picked up an issue during training earlier this week, ruling him out of contention for the fixture. While the club stopped short of providing an exact return date, the manager admitted the situation is a frustrating setback at a crucial point in the season.

“Unfortunately, Karl won’t be available for the Chelsea game,” Farke confirmed. “He felt discomfort after our last training session, and the medical team advised that it would be too risky for him to be involved.”

The absence of Darlow comes as a concern for Leeds fans, as the experienced goalkeeper has been a steady presence between the posts, contributing vital saves and leadership at the back. His performances have played a key role in Leeds’ recent defensive solidity, making his absence against a strong Chelsea side particularly significant.

Farke, however, remained confident in the depth of his squad and backed Darlow’s potential replacement to step up when called upon.

“This is football,” he added. “We trust the players we have. Whoever starts in goal will have our full confidence and support.”

Chelsea, known for their attacking quality and pace, are expected to test Leeds’ defense throughout the match, meaning the stand-in goalkeeper will likely be kept busy. Supporters will now be watching closely to see how Leeds adapt without their number one.

More details on Darlow’s condition are expected in the coming days, with the club hopeful the injury is only a minor setback rather than a long-term concern.