Daniel Farke names Leeds United team vs Sunderland as stars recover from blows

Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United team for Tuesday evening’s Premier League showdown against fellow top flight new boys Sunderland at Elland Road for which two stars have recovered from blows.

Slight doubts surrounded the availability of James Justin and to a lesser degree Joe Rodon who both experienced injuries or discomfort in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.

Both players were taken off in the 87th minute, Rodon having experienced problems with his hamstring and Justin having taken a blow to his ankle for a wound which then needed stitches.

Speaking at Monday’s pre-match press conference, Farke said that Rodon was expected to be available to face Sunderland following scans and assessment but that Justin was a slight question mark.

Farke, though, was hopeful that Justin would also be fine to feature and both players keep their places in an unchanged side.

Noah Okafor had already been ruled out of this evening’s contest, the Swiss attacker still recovering from the hamstring injury suffered in the FA Cup clash at Birmingham City last month.

Okafor was thought to be looking at two to four weeks out.

Already without six first team players through injury, Sunderland have been dealt another blow with first choice keeper Robin Roefs also having picked up an injury.

January signing Melker Ellborg takes his place between the sticks whilst captain Granit Xhaka also drops to the bench, the midfielder’s minutes having been manged following his recent return from injury.

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

Sunderland: Ellborg; O’Nien, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Geertruida, Diarra, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee; Mayenda. Subs: Moore, Rigg, Jenson Jones, Harrison Jones, Isidor, Traore, Talbi, Xhaka, Aleksic.