Leeds United will finally begin their Premier League return with Monday night’s hosting of Everton - and this is how we think the Whites will line up.
Leeds have signed seven new players so far this summer and an eighth in Dominic Calvert-Lewin appears imminent as Daniel Farke’s Whites prepare to take on Calvert-Lewin’s former club.
The striker left the Toffees this summer as his contract expired and the 28-year-old could now face his former side in his first minutes for the Whites should he sign in time.
As it stands, Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Lucas Perri are the seven new options for the new season although Farke cannot call on centre-back Bijol this weekend as the Slovenian serves a one match ban.
Injuries - in particular to first choice right back Jayden Bogle - might well also play a big part in Farke’s selection. But Farke remained optimistic that Bogle would return to training this week after his hip flexor issue and this is the XI that we think will line up for the first game back of the club’s Premier League return.
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1. GK: Lucas Perri
New first choice keeper Perri joined the club carrying a slight hamstring injury but the Brazilian declared that he was 100 per cent fit after playing the first half of last weekend's friendly against AC Milan. Farke also confirmed on Friday that there were no other injury worries other than Bogle so all looks good for Perri's full debut. | AFP via Getty Images
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2. RB: Jayden Bogle
A very hard one to call and Bogle only returning to training on Friday is not exactly ideal after a two week absence due to his hip flexor issue. That said, he's clearly a key cog in Farke's side and as a naturally fit player it might be that Bogle is in a good enough shape to start, perhaps before later being taken off. No surprise if he misses out, though, and perhaps the fit-again Bornauw is the most likely replacement over and above fellow options Sam Byram and Isaac Schmidt. | Getty Images
3. CB: Joe Rodon
A rock at the back and one of the first choice centre-halves although Farke is one option down in the position this weekend with new boy Bijol suspended. | Getty Images
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4. CB: Pascal Struijk
Rodon and Bijol looks likely to be the new first choice centre-back pairing but Struijk will be hoping to start himself and he's an easy pick to 'replace' Bijol against the Toffees. | Getty Images
5. LB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
Another new boy and the new first choice left back is another easy pick as another player whose place in the side appears nailed. The second full debut. | Getty Images
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
The captain and just a case of who partners him in midfield and in what system. | Getty Images