Star returns as Daniel Farke names very strong Leeds United team at Bournemouth

Whites boss Daniel Farke has kept to his word and named a very strong Leeds United side for this evening’s Premier League clash at Bournemouth - four days before Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.

Farke declared at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference that all focus was on tonight’s clash at the Vitality Stadium in the club’s ongoing quest for top-flight survival and not Sunday’s huge semi-final against the Blues at this stage.

The Whites boss made it clear that he would be naming his best available XI and the Whites boss has named the same team that lined up for Saturday’s hosting of Wolves,

Leeds have also been boosted by the return of winger Dan James who makes the bench having recovered from an adductor strain.

Farke warned at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference that the winger would now need session after session after a last year disrupted by various injuries.

But James still quickly returns to the match day squad, taking his place on the bench where Bulgaria international midfielder Ilia Gruev is mising.

Gruev has suffered a meniscus knee injury in training and needs further assessment.

Midfielder Anton Stach remains out with the ankle injury suffered in the FA Cup quarter-final win at West Ham United and has not travelled with the squad but Farke hopes it will now be days and not weeks before the German is back.

Joe Rodon made a surprisingly early return from his ankle injury as a late substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Wolves and Farke reported no issues from his return.

Rodon again takes his place on the bench as James Justin, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk form the three-man centre-back axis.

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has made one change to his Bournemouth side which sees David Brooks replacing Rayan on the wing as Rayan drops to the bench.

Bournemouth: Petrovic; Alejandro Jiménez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Christie, Scott; Brooks, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson. Subs: Mandas, Gannon-Doak, Adams, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Enes Unal, Toth, Rayan.

Leeds United: Darlow; Bogle, Justin, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Tanaka; Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin. Subs:Perri, Rodon, Bornauw, Longstaff, James, Buonanotte, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha.