Robin Koch and Rodrigo expected to start for Leeds United v Newcastle United – Phil Hay
Sam Allardyce is expected to recall Robin Koch and Rodrigo to the Leeds United starting lineup for the clash with Newcastle, according to Phil Hay.
The Whites made several changes for the loss to Manchester City last week, but Koch was dropped after missing some training during the week and Rodrigo is still trying to get back to full fitness.
But with Koch now fit again and Rodrigo getting on the scoresheet against City, The Athletic are reporting that both are likely to come back into the frame at Elland Road.
“His injury list is the same as before – Cooper, Sinisterra, Adams and Dallas all missing,” he wrote (13 May).
“But expect changes to the team this lunchtime because it’s a very different match to Manchester City away.
“I can see Robin Koch coming back in and Rodrigo starting too. I know he’s not a go-for-broke coach but Allardyce will want Leeds to have every chance of nicking this.”
Huge boost
Koch has comfortably been Leeds United’s best defender this season and that has shown in the fact that he has played more minutes than any outfield player.
His return to fitness is a big boost for Allardyce who needs the team to be far stronger defensively in the final three games of the season in order to have a chance of staying up.
With Liam Cooper injured, having Koch back is an absolute necessity and then adding the goal threat of Rodrigo to the side from the start will surely boost the fans’ morale.
He’s the only player at the club to have hit double figures for goals this season and his finishing hasn’t let up all year, so if we get a chance we’ll be praying that it falls to him.
It’s an absolutely huge game and Allardyce being able to call his senior plays back into the team can only be seen as a good thing ahead of kick-off.
In other Leeds news, stars have loved what Allardyce has introduced at Thorp Arch after Gracia and Marsch axed it.