'BEST FINISHER I'VE EVER WORKED WITH'

LEEDS boss Daniel Farke has described out-of-favour Joel Piroe as 'the best finisher I've ever worked with' and says the striker has a crucial role to play this season.

- By MARK WALKER @examinerHTAFC

Farke paid tribute to Piroe before Saturday's lunchtime kickoff against Tottenham at Elland Road having left the Dutchman out of his side's previous four starting lineups.

Piroe's 19 league goals helped fire Leeds to promotion last season, earning him the Sky Bet Championship's Golden Boot, but he did not even make Farke's squad for last month's defeat at Fulham.

"Of course, it's tough, especially when you have a player like Joel, who is giving everything, who has worked on his fitness level a lot, who is a top-class character," Farke said.

"For me, he's the best finisher I've ever worked with and there's been some good finishers.