Early Leeds United team news v Millwall as Ilia Gruev and Jaidon Anthony update emerges
Ilia Gruev and Jaidon Anthony are expected to be in the Leeds United matchday squad for their clash against Millwall, according to Leeds Live.
The website reported (17 September) that Daniel Farke will have his two new signings at his disposal for their trip to The Den adding significant depth after a patch of significant injuries.
The pair arrived at Elland Road as late summer signings and could make their first Leeds United appearances on Sunday (17 September), having missed the pre-international break clash against Sheffield Wednesday.
Boost
Leeds United will be very eager to get three points in South London. They enter the clash in 18th place on the Championship table – far lower than desired.
A tough start, a squad overhaul and Farke’s late appointment have all contributed to the less-than-ideal start to life outside the Premier League, but the German is now expected to bounce up the table.
Gruev and Anthony could prove huge boosts for the Whites against Millwall, who themselves will be eyeing up a play-off spot this season after missing out by a single point last season.
Anthony, a loanee from Bournemouth, is expected to be a real force for Farke in Yorkshire this season. The 23-year-old nabbed himself a handful of top-flight appearances this season before making the move to Leeds, showing he can cut it in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, the Bulgarian was a late permanent signing for Farke. As a man who knows what it takes to get out of the lower leagues, having helped Werder Bremen back to the Bundesliga in 2021/22, Gruev will hope to establish himself as a key player this season in Leeds’ own promotion push.
It feels unlikely that either will start, especially considering the stakes of the game and the high-pressure environment of The Den, but Farke may hand out a few debuts if his game plan is playing out as intended.
The return of many key players from injury, including Liam Cooper and Daniel James, will be huge in Farke’s effort to climb the table, but the new signings could prove to be even more significant.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has named a solution to a misfiring Whites attacker.