Daniel Farke replaces Pascal Struijk as two doubts on the bench – Confirmed Leeds United XI vs Plymouth Argyle
Captain Liam Cooper has come into Daniel Farke’s Leeds United starting XI to replace Pascal Struijk with Charlie Cresswell on the bench.
The Whites boss revealed that the defender was out after undergoing hernia surgery following the win over Leicester last week as part of a hefty list of absentees, but he is the only change from that 1-0 result.
Cresswell and Patrick Bamford were both considered “question marks” ahead of the game having missed training this week but the pair are among the substitutes in the squad to face Plymouth Argyle.
Illan Meslier is in goal with Archie Gray again at right-back, Sam Byram on the left and Joe Rodon in the centre, behind Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu in midfield.
The attack is unchanged with Dan James and Crysencio Summerville either side of Joel Piroe, with Georginio Rutter up front.
Maintain standards
Farke revealed a lengthy list of injuries in his pre-match press conference for this game, with the Struijk absence a significant blow.
His form alongside Rodon at the back has been far more steady than he had shown over the past two seasons, and been a major part of the improvements under Farke this season.
Having gone to the league leaders and knocked off a Leicester side in record-breaking form the manager is going to have to guard against undercutting that effort by dropping points in the next game.
Plymouth Argyle on paper are much less of a test but an enforced change at the back and a potential lull in the atmosphere for a more winnable game offers the potential for this one to be a banana skin.
It is vital that the Whites head into the latest international break having maintained their momentum in the Championship.
There is a lot to be very positive about at Elland Road currently so the players have to ensure there is no negativity lingering over the next fortnight as a result of this result.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay says the Whites are in a “totally alien” situation amid what appears to be a key change from the past 15 years.