Leeds United predicted XI v Stoke: Archie Gray to be axed
Daniel Farke is predicted to make a couple of changes to the Leeds United side that won against Norwich ahead of the Championship clash with Stoke City on Wednesday 25 October.
Two changes stand out in particular, with Archie Gray potentially set to drop out of the side after struggling to keep up with the pace after being used heavily of late, while Daniel James could also find himself on the chopping block.
Wilfried Gnonto has put himself in contention to start after returning from injury against Norwich, while Jamie Shackleton was also available but did not feature from the bench. Luke Ayling will also be waiting for the call to step up.
Gray will almost certainly be rested for this one after the boss slammed his involvement with England’s Under-19 side, claiming the 17-year-old was being overworked and risks being burnt out [The Athletic, 19 October], before then playing him for 90 minutes despite looking knackered against the Canaries.
As a result, Ayling will be expected to step into the side at right-back, giving Farke another option to play the player in his usual position despite Gray having been featured in a new role.
Shackleton is another option for the role, with his ability to drift into midfield proving more of a like-for-like replacement for Gray, but Ayling’s experience may be relied upon as Leeds look to sure up their defence having fallen two behind at Carrow Road.
Gnonto may also be expected to start for the first time since September 20, with James dropping to the bench in a rotational move. Crysencio Summerville has a nailed-on starting position in this side, so the opposite flank is where rotation will be more likely for Farke.
In terms of the rest of the team, Sam Byram, Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon are expected to retain their positions in defence despite the leaky nature of the win over Norwich, with Illan Meslier remaining in goal despite a shaky showing.
In midfield, Glen Kamara struggled to impress on Saturday but may keep his place with more of the ball likely expected, unless Shackleton steps into midfield, but Farke is likely to stick with the Finnish international alongside Ethan Ampadu.
The attacking trio of Summerville, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter is almost undroppable at this stage, with their displays key to Leeds’ threat going forward, and they will be relied upon for the game against Stoke on Wednesday.
In other Leeds United news, here are three things we learned from the comeback against Norwich.