FARKE BACKS GEORGINIO TO EMERGE FROM GOAL-SHY RUT

Forward fluffs his lines in stalemate

- Chris Dunlavy

LEEDS UNITED 0

SHEFFIELD WED 0

DANIEL Farke defended misfiring striker Georginio Rutter after Leeds United were held to a frustrating stalemate by rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday in a Yorkshire derby.

Rutter, signed from Hoffenheim for £30m in January, spurned several openings and missed two one-on-ones as Leeds failed to turn territorial dominance into a handsome victory.

The 21-year-old Frenchman has now scored just once in 17 appearances for the Whites, who have won only one of their opening five games following relegation from the Premier League.

“With Georginio, I think it is very important for him that he finds his fitness and his rhythm,” said Farke, who gave late cameos to new signings Glen Kamara and Djed Spence.

“Sometimes you have times as a striker when you find it is unbelievably difficult to take your chances. Other times, you just need to look at the ball and it goes in. It’s difficult to explain, and it feels a bit like Georginio is at this moment right now.