Karl Darlow has been encouragingly steady in Perri's injury absence but the Brazilian is still Daniel Farke's No.1. Expected to come back after the October international break.placeholder image
Karl Darlow has been encouragingly steady in Perri's injury absence but the Brazilian is still Daniel Farke's No.1. Expected to come back after the October international break. | Getty Images

Six new signings as recent starter dropped - Strongest Leeds United XI without Dan James after injury blow

Kyle Newbould
By Kyle Newbould

Central Football Reporter

Published 1st Oct 2025, 17:00 GMT

Leeds United look set to be without Dan James for the next few weeks and this is how Daniel Farke could line up without him.

Leeds United have an important few weeks on the horizon but look set to face it all without Dan James. The winger is currently undergoing further assessment on an ankle injury but the YEP understands he is looking at a period of weeks out, rather than months.

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Daniel Farke is expected to provide more information in his pre-Tottenham Hotspur press conference on Thursday but with James looking at potentially six weeks out, chances are Leeds will be a winger down for Spurs, Burnley, West Ham and maybe a few more.

Leeds do still have four wide options to pick from and an encouraging bill of health in other positions should leave Farke with some tough decisions to make each week. Below, the YEP takes a look at how the German could line up without the injured James.

Still adapting to the pace and pressure of Premier League football but looks a real step up when there's space to run into. Enjoying a more attacking role under Farke and linking up well with others on the left-hand side.

7. CM: Anton Stach

Still adapting to the pace and pressure of Premier League football but looks a real step up when there's space to run into. Enjoying a more attacking role under Farke and linking up well with others on the left-hand side. | Getty Images

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Looks to have the edge over Ao Tanaka after a brilliant past few weeks, particularly with a goal and assists against Bournemouth. Was always going to run for days but showing plenty of tactical and technical nous as well.

8. CM: Sean Longstaff

Looks to have the edge over Ao Tanaka after a brilliant past few weeks, particularly with a goal and assists against Bournemouth. Was always going to run for days but showing plenty of tactical and technical nous as well. | Getty Images

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Has been out of action the past few weeks but there's hope of a return soon, possibly even in time for Spurs. When fit, Gnonto gets the nod over Brenden Aaronson due to his superior quality on the ball, albeit the American has been good defensively in recent games.

9. RW: Willy Gnonto

Has been out of action the past few weeks but there's hope of a return soon, possibly even in time for Spurs. When fit, Gnonto gets the nod over Brenden Aaronson due to his superior quality on the ball, albeit the American has been good defensively in recent games. | Getty Images

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Already looks to be the man Leeds turn to when they need a moment of magic, and he provided a few exciting dribbles against Bournemouth. That left side of Okafor, Gudmundsson and Stach looks really settled already, which is a major positive.

10. LW: Noah Okafor

Already looks to be the man Leeds turn to when they need a moment of magic, and he provided a few exciting dribbles against Bournemouth. That left side of Okafor, Gudmundsson and Stach looks really settled already, which is a major positive. | Cody Froggatt/PA Wire

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Has been a couple of good finishes away from the perfect start to life as Leeds' No.9, with a good goal at Wolves and plenty of brilliant hold-up play. Really important he keeps fit for the majority of the season.

11. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Has been a couple of good finishes away from the perfect start to life as Leeds' No.9, with a good goal at Wolves and plenty of brilliant hold-up play. Really important he keeps fit for the majority of the season. | Stu Forster/Getty ImagesDominic

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