By Mark Smith

21st Oct, 2023 | 1:51pm

Leeds United team news as Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Cresswell miss out v Norwich

Leeds United finally return to Championship action on Saturday 21 October with a tough trip to take on Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Daniel Farke returns to his old club for one of the first times, with the likes of Willy Gnonto back available for selection and with the team.

Beren Cross has shared footage of the squad arriving on Twitter, with the news that Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Cresswell are nowhere to be seen in East Anglia.

“Farke welcomed back,” the Leeds Live journalist wrote.

“No real shocks. No Cresswell or Gelhardt.”

Depth.

Despite losing all of the players that Leeds did over the summer, this is a testament to the strength of the squad that Farke and the 49ers have put together in a short space of time.

There were moments in the Premier League where Leeds had no chance but to start Gelhardt with all the issues they had, and without being disrespectful, that is a lot to ask of a young number nine.

Now, Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville and Gnonto are just some of the options available to play centrally if needed.

The same can be said for Cresswell too, who despite signing a new contract in the summer, is now facing the likes of Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper on the bench.

We just hope that these are big kicks in the teeth for these young stars who will be desperate to be playing, and they can use it as motivation to stay with the club long term and claim their places eventually.

In other Leeds United news, plans to bring back and utilise a player who left on loan under a cloud have emerged.