Gelhardt and Phillips start on bench, two changes – Confirmed Leeds XI v Southampton
Leeds have made two changes to their starting lineup as Raphinha returns to the team to take on Southampton this afternoon in place of Patrick Bamford.
The winger returns to the side after a bout of COVID and replaces the injured Bamford in attack while captain Liam Cooper replaces Pascal Strujik in defence.
Joe Gelhardt and Kalvin Phillips are named on the bench despite being fit and available for the game.
Ilan Meslier is fit enough to keep his place in goal after being forced off against Wolves with injury, while the midfield pairing of Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich is unchanged.
Rodrigo will look to make it three goals in three games from the attacking midfield role.
Confirmed Leeds XI v Southampton; Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas; Klich, Forshaw; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; James
Huge boost
The return of Cooper and Raphinha is a massive boost to the side as they chase survival and with a seven point cushion above the bottom three currently they look good to do so.
Marsch has managed to keep the unity and team spirit in the side that many feared would be lost after the exit of Marcelo Bielsa, but he’s also been able to get results where Bielsa couldn’t.
The re-emergence of Raphinha into the attack will be seen as a huge boost as they look to keep possession more, with the Brazilian international by far the best player at the club.
Gelhardt’s omission from the start is a shame, with Bamford out injured and the fans needed someone to get behind.
Rather than playing James out of position he could have opted for the youngster who has become a fan favourite this season but he’s gone for experience instead on this occasion.
In other Leeds news, Leeds talent stuns Jesse Marsch with performance in goal crazy inter-squad friendly