Daniel Farke has hailed Leeds United back-up goalkeeper Alex Cairns as “one of the best” at the club in terms of his application in training.
Cairns joined Leeds from Salford City in the summer, but despite having plenty of experience in the Football League, he is yet to make an appearance for the club.
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The 31-year-old is stuck in behind first-choice Illan Meslier, while Karl Darlow has been on the bench for every Championship game so far this season and has made one appearance in the EFL Cup.
With that in mind, some Leeds Supporters may be surprised to find Cairns at the center of the conversation during Farke’s pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Preston North End.
However, Cairns received high praise from his manager thanks to his exemplary attitude.
Daniel Farke praises Leeds secondary star Alex Cairns
“I love him, I have to say,” Farke said of Cairns (via Leeds United news). “First of all it’s good because we don’t have to play him in the cup competitions anymore, he was excellent against us and I don’t want to be reminded of that game because he was great in his performance and what he did do with our penalties.
“In general, I love him because he arrived knowing exactly his role, we have Illan, we have Karl, the best goalkeepers at this level. But he has participated and tries to prove in each and every training that he is the best we have.
“I want these players to know their role, but also not to rest. He wants to improve every day, he’s one of the hardest working guys and it’s always a pleasure to have him around because he’s competitive and professional, but always in a good mood and with a smile on his face.
“He has a good sense of humor and in the dressing room he motivates each and every one of the players, arguing with Illan and Karl about the players of the rivals, to give a hint here and there.
“He’s an experienced guy, obviously he hasn’t played at the highest level before, so it’s not like he’s already won a Champions League. But it means he’s hungry and willing to deliver at that level. It was a completely right choice to have him with us, obviously it is a developed club and he has a high identification.
“I talk very often about the white blood that runs through the veins of these guys and Alex is definitely one of them. We need these types of players who more or less work harder every day and leave their hearts on the pitch .He knocks his socks off because of the identification with this club.
“How mature he is in the dressing room, it’s not always about the players who play every second, but about the group. Sometimes a player who isn’t in the spotlight as much is just as valuable to the group. That’s how I feel about Alex.”
