Debut for Darlow, Gelhardt starts in six changes – Leeds United starting XI v Shrewsbury Town
Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United starting XI to face Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup first-round at Elland Road on Wednesday (9 August) with six changes made.
The German has rung the changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Cardiff City, as confirmed by the club’s official Twitter account, in Leeds’ Championship opener on Sunday (August 6) including handing a debut to goalkeeper Karl Darlow in place of Illan Meslier.
Luke Ayling keeps his spot at right-back, with exit-linked utility man Jamie Shackleton, Leo Hjelde and Charlie Cresswell making up the back four.
Ethan Ampadu and teenager Archie Gray remain in midfield, while Ivan Poveda and Darko Gyabi are offered opportunities, and Dan James has another chance to start. Joe Gelhardt is asked to lead the line.
Chance to experiment
The early rounds of the EFL Cup usually arrive to little fanfare.
Clubs are still very much in the infancy of figuring out who features in their best XIs, while new players are still being bedded in and sounding out their teammates.
For Daniel Farke, this evening will represent an opportunity to get some competitive minutes into the legs of his players, and afford an opportunity to look at some of the younger talent in his squad – especially with Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter still injured, and Crysencio Summerville and captain Liam Cooper now also on the sidelines.
Make no mistake, though, Leeds will be keen to get a first competitive win on the board under Daniel Farke after fighting back for a 2-2 draw in their Championship opener against Cardiff City on Sunday (6 August).
Leeds were 2-0 down at the break in that game, and needed a last-gasp equaliser from Summerville to rescue a point that they were genuinely good value for and, had it not been for some all too familiar defensive lapses, it would have been three.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke is desperate to sign Norwich City right-back Max Aarons.