'EXCITING CHALLENGE' SAYS PARKER AHEAD OF LEEDS CLASH

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Clarets boss looks ahead to Saturday's visit to Elland Road

2024-09-12T14:27:24.396Z

'EXCITING CHALLENGE' SAYS PARKER AHEAD OF LEEDS CLASH

Clarets boss looks ahead to Saturday's visit to Elland Road

2024-09-12T14:27:24.396Z

MATCH PREVIEW: BURNLEY V PORTSMOUTH - Image 6

Head Coach Scott Parker described Saturday's trip to Elland Road as an 'exciting challenge and a big test' for him and his side as the Clarets take on Leeds United in the Sky Bet Championship.

Burnley travel to Yorkshire to take on Daniel Farke's men, who remain unbeaten following two wins and two draws and Parker is well aware of the test the hosts will pose.

Speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of the clash, Parker said: "It's a big test for us against a very good side. They have a pretty settled team, obviously they made some changes in the summer, but a lot of the players have been there a while now.

"Then you add that to the atmosphere that a full Elland Road brings and that brings a challenge, but it's an exciting challenge for us and we are looking forward to going into this weekend."

Parker added: "The international break came at a good time for us, we had a lot of players still here training and a lot of the new lads around, so it has been good to work with them for a couple of weeks.

"It's given the squad and new lads a bit of time to settle in more and gel together, so from that aspect yes, it's been a good week or so and they have worked very hard and they're ready."

'EXCITING CHALLENGE' SAYS PARKER AHEAD OF LEEDS CLASH - Image 1

Parker and Farke are two of only a handful of managers to achieve promotion from the Championship on more than one occasion and the Clarets boss had high praise for the United chief.

"It's an extremely difficult task, from the outside some people see it as just the squad, which of course gives you a great opportunity, but so much more goes into it.

"To get a team out of this league more than once, I've full admiration for Daniel and the work he has done. They missed out narrowly last season in what is a 50/50 game, but he has a really good team there."

The Clarets added the experience of John Egan this week, as the Ireland defender arrived as a free agent on a deal until the end of the season and Parker applauded Egan's experience & knowledge and explained the decision behind signing the centre-back.

"The character of him as a person. He has a huge wealth of experience and within quite a young backline he brings plenty of knowledge to the group.

"He has been promoted twice from this league, he knows what it takes and what is needed and can be there to help the younger lads around him such as CJ, Maxime, Bashir, Lucas and Shurandy.

"He's in a good place fitness wise, trained with us for a few weeks now and there's a lot of aspects that will help us this season from John."

'EXCITING CHALLENGE' SAYS PARKER AHEAD OF LEEDS CLASH - Image 2

When asked for an update on how the squad was looking ahead of the visit to Leeds, the Head Coach explained: "Maxime (Esteve) is ok. Benny (Benson) got a big injury and won't be around for weeks, maybe months. It's a big disappointment and hopefully he can recover, get it right and reboot.

"Connor (Roberts) reported yesterday and it isn't as bad as we initially thought. He came off in the game on Monday, but we will reassess him tomorrow and give him the best chance of being available for the weekend.

"Josh (Cullen) is ready. Again, we need to work out whether this weekend comes a bit too quick. He's trained with us for two or three days, we'll make the call tomorrow.

"Enock (Agyei) is back on the grass and training, he has been out there all week and Hannes (Delcroix) is training on the grass and pushing to be back.

"Tresor is fit and healthy. He has come back in after being injured the back end of last season, then the operation and his illness. He's been training this week and involved with the team and he is heading in the right direction."