Huge boost as Leeds United star returns vs Brighton but key defender missing as new youngster makes bench
Leeds United’s team for today’s final home of the Premier League season against Brighton is in.
Whites boss Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United team for today’s final home of the Premier League season against Brighton which features a huge boost as a star returns but a blow as a key defender misses out.
Captain Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk were both doubtful for today’s game and it’s a case of one back but one out as Ampadu starts but with Struijk missing.
Farke revealed at Friday’s pre-match press conference that captain Ampadu was a major doubt due to illness and had not trained on Friday.
In a grim dose of team news, Farke also said that centre-back Struijk was a big doubt having been forced off against Tottenham with a hip injury and that Noah Okafor, Gabi Gudmundsson, Jayden Bogle and Ilia Gruev (out for the season) remained out in addition to Facundo Buonanotte being ineligible to face his parent side.
Struijk had been a doubt for Monday night’s game at Tottenham following a knock to his hip but started the game only to then come off midway through the second half after experiencing problems.
Struijk has now failed to make the matchday squad, Sebastiaan Bornauw taking his place in defence in the only change to the side as Dan James gets another start, seemingly as a wing back.
With Struijk now added to the list of absentees, another youngster makes the bench for the first time in centre-back Alfie Creswell - younger brother of former Leeds youngster Charlie.
As at Tottenham, fellow youngsters Rhys Chadwick and Jayden Lienou are also amongst the subs.
Highflying Brighton arrive having won seven of their last ten games and boss Fabian Hurzeler has made just the one enforced change to his side as Joel Veltman replaces the injured Kaoru Mitoma.
That leaves former Leeds star Georginio Rutter on the bench on his return to Elland Road.
Leeds United vs Brighton: Darlow; James, Rodon, Bijol, Bornauw, Justin; Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Perri, Byram, Lienou, Cresswell, Longstaff, Chadwick, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha.