Enormous Leeds United boost as star pair return in Whites team at Newcastle United, pair miss out completely

Whites boss Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United team for this evening’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park featuring a huge double boost.

Centre-back Joe Rodon was thought to be facing around three weeks out after damaging his ankle ligaments in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland at the end of the year but the Wales international warrior comes straight back into the side.

Rodon is joined back in the XI by United’s captain and fellow Wales international star Ethan Ampadu who returns from a one-match ban to also go straight back into the team.

The midfielder was suspended for Sunday’s Roses derby at home to Manchester United having amassed five yellow cards before the cut-off point.

As Rodon and Ampadu return, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Noah Okafor drop to the bench.

Jayden Bogle, though, is once again missing and Sean Longstaff also drops back off the bench.

Farke said at Monday’s pre-match press conference that recently injured trio Bogle, Rodon and Longstaff all had chances of featuring against the Magpies.

Rodon suffered ankle ligament damage in the end of year 1-1 draw at Sunderland and was thought to be looking at around three weeks out but Farke said at Monday’s pre-match press conference that both Rodon and Bogle were doing individual work and making good progress.

Neither had returned to team training by that point

Neither had returned to team training by that point but Farke said there could be a chance for them if either of them were to train on Tuesday.

Bogle missed the weekend’s clash against Manchester United due to a minor calf issue.

Longstaff, meanwhile, returned earlier than expected from his calf injury to make the bench for Sunday’s Roses derby.

The midfielder was an unused substitute and named amongst the substitutes mainly due to the other absentees and for his experience in the dressing room.

Farke, though, had said there was now a chance that Longstaff could get some minutes against his former club, not as a starter but from the bench.

Dan James remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a hamstring tendon injury, the winger looking at around another two weeks out before he returns to team training.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has made two changes to his Newcastle side as Nick Woltemade and Harvey Barnes replace Jacob Murphy and Yoane Wissa who drop to the bench.

Newcastle United: Pope, Hall, Schär, Joelinton, Tonali, Gordon, Barnes, Thiaw, Woltemade, Guimarães, Miley. Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, Wissa, Livramento, JMurphy, Willock, Murphy, Ramsey.

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