Joe Rodon debut, Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra left out again – Leeds United predicted XI v West Brom
Daniel Farke could look to make some changes to his Leeds starting line up for the clash with West Brom at Elland Road on Friday night.
The Whites are winless after two games in the Championship following a 2-2 draw on the opening day against Cardiff before a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham due to a last minute penalty kick.
But with several injuries and players making themselves unavailable for recent fixtures, the boss has some decisions to make about who lines up against the Baggies.
Illan Meslier remains the club’s number one goalkeeper ahead of Karl Darlow and now looks far more likely to stay beyond the transfer window than was initially expected.
In defence new loan signing Joe Rodon should come into the team to make his full debut in the centre of the park, and he’s likely to replace Charlie Cresswell to partner Pascal Struijk at the back.
Sam Byram should start again at left-back ahead of Leo Hjelde, while Cody Drameh is fit again after a hamstring problem and could get the nod ahead of Luke Ayling on the right.
In midfield the two best performers this season have been youngster Archie Gray and new signing Ethan Ampadu, so their partnership will surely continue in the middle of the park to try and control the game.
Further forward there are big question marks, mainly because we don’t know who will be available to play in attack considering the current situations at the club.
Farke has made it very clear that he doesn’t want players who aren’t fully committed to be involved, and that means the likelihood of Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra featuring in the game are slim.
That should mean Daniel James and Ian Poveda keep their place in attack for the game, while Joe Gelhard remains the only fit natural striker with Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph out injured still.
But Georginio Rutter was fit enough for the bench last week and he could well come back into the lineup in his preferred position on the left wing to show why he is our club-record signing.
In other Leeds news, no new contract offered for first-team ace yet as he enters final 12 months.