Poveda back from the wilderness – Confirmed Leeds XI and bench v Cardiff
Marcelo Bielsa has named his first Leeds United starting XI back after almost three months off.
Pablo Hernandez misses out with injury, as announced in the press conference on Thursday, and Tyler Roberts comes into replace him.
The only other change is Kalvin Phillips, with Gaetano Berardi dropping to the bench.
The team news was announced on the official Leeds United Twitter account ahead of the midday kick-off.
Strong XI and great to see Poveda back
We’re really happy to see Roberts in and much prefer that to Gjanni Alioski coming in and Stuart Dallas moving into midfield.
It’s also fascinating to see the bench with Bielsa able to name a squad of 20 and use up to five subs – although we’d be amazed if he actually did. That’s just not his style.
However, it gives chances to a clutch of Leeds youngsters.
Pascal Struijk, Leif Davis, Robbie Gotts and Jordan Stevens all make the bench but there’s one other player Leeds fans will be absolutely delighted to see.
Ian Poveda has been left in the wilderness after making the bench for the first two games since arriving from Man City.
He was dropped from the squad for the next seven games but makes his return today and he could be the impact player that Bielsa looks to off the bench.
We’ve seen him dazzle for the Under-23s and we’ve heard good things coming from training since lockdown – can he do it for the first team today?
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