New boss Sam Allardyce made four changes to his side for his first Leeds game in charge at Manchester City last weekend as the fit-again Max Wober, Junior Firpo, Adam Forshaw and keeper Joel Robles all came into the side.
Illan Meslier was dropped after a string of recent goalkeeping errors whilst Robin Koch, Crysencio Summerville and the injured Liam Cooper were also all replaced in the side. Leeds fell to a 2-1 defeat in the fixture in which Rodrigo, Sam Greenwood, Summerville, Pascal Struijk and Brenden Aaronson were all introduced from the bench at various stages during the second half. Rodrigo pulled a goal back for Leeds who had trailed 2-0 to Pep Guardiola’s title favourites and this is the XI that we think Allardyce will send out against Saturday’s lunchtime visitors Newcastle. Cooper, Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Stuart Dallas all remain out.
7. CM - Sam Greenwood
Grenwood replaced Marc Roca as part of a double change at City in the 58th minute as Allardyce looked to his subs for the first time. Leeds generally got better as the game went on and it would be no surprise at all to see 21-year-old Greenwood now come into the XI at Roca's expense, especially given his value at set pieces which Allardyce will be keen to make the most of. The first change, in for Roca. Photo: George Wood
8. CM - Weston McKennie
It would be a bit of a surprise if Allardyce made widescale changes to his midfield and McKennie was the only Whites player from the entire midfield or attack to play the full match at City. That speaks volumes and it's likely that he will again be in the Whites engine room as part of a midfield three. Photo: Stu Forster
9. LW - Willy Gnonto
Gnonto was pretty anonymous at City and the Italian international teenage forward was eventually withdrawn for Rodrigo two minutes before the hour mark as Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford played together for 22 minutes in the front line until Bamford was replaced by Brenden Aaronson with ten minutes left. But Allardyce has stated previously that he is a big fan of Gnonto and he looks just the sort of player that Big Sam will be hoping can get behind Newcastle's full backs out wide. The only debate probably surrounds on which side he will start. Photo: Stu Forster
10. RW - Jack Harrison
Allardyce went with Harrison and Gnonto as his wide men at City and Harrison put in a real shift that clearly left him exhausted by the time he was swapped for Crysencio Summerville in the 65th minute. Starting Summerville is clearly an option but Harrison and Gnonto on the flanks looks like being the call and probably the right one too. Summerville is the sort of player who could do serious damage with his pace off the bench. Brenden Aaronson and the scarcely-used Georginio Rutter are among the other options. Photo: Stu Forster
11. ST - Rodrigo
Bamford or Rodrigo or both? Bamford got the nod in the no 9 role at City as Rodrigo started from the bench before coming on for Gnonto in the 58th minute and then scoring 27 minutes later with a clinical finish. Leeds quite simply must take any chances they get against Newcastle and it might now be that Rodrigo comes into the side to lead the line. The second of two changes, in for Bamford. Photo: Matt McNulty