Whites boss Jesse Marsch will definitely have to make at least one change as striker Rodrigo dislocated his shoulder during Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at home to Everton and the Spanish international is now set to be sidelined until after the September international break.
But Marsch revealed at Thursday afternoon’s pre-match press conference that Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Junior Firpo were all back in training following their recent injuries in addition to Patrick Bamford who returned to action as a second-half substitute against the Toffees.
Longer term absentee Stuart Dallas is now one of just two players out for Leeds in addition to Rodrigo and this is the XI that we think will take to the field for Saturday’s 3pm kick-off against the Bees.
7. CM - Marc Roca
Mateusz Klich continues to impress off the bench in a variety of roles and must be pushing hard for a start but the Adams-Roca axis is already a strong one and seems sure to be the midfield base that the Whites side is built around. Photo: George Wood
8. RW - Luis Sinisterra
Who needs Raphinha right? Well, that's taking it a bit far but summer signing Sinisterra dazzled upon his full Whites league debut against Everton and has already scored twice in his last three games including the Carabao Cup clash against Barnsley. Raphinha is Raphinha but Sinisterra is looking good and should now be set for a run of starts on the right flank upon working his way back to fitness from a hamstring injury. Photo: George Wood
9. LW - Jack Harrison
Dan James is no longer an option on the left wing having sealed a deadline day season-long loan move to Fulham but in any case Harrison was another player hailed at Thursday's pre-match press conference and is basically a banker bet to start on the left. Young Crysencio Summerville now heads the back up although Brenden Aaronson can play on both flanks too if not playing as a no 10. Photo: Michael Regan
10. ACM - Brenden Aaronson
The selection of the front two basically revolves around whether Bamford is considered fit enough to start and if Marsch thinks that's worth any potential risk as the Whites no 9 continues on the comeback trail. Marsch said there was a possibility of Bamford starting alongside Joe Gelhardt but it's hard to see any of Harrison, Sinisterra or Aaronson not starting so it looks like being one or the other out of Gelhardt and Bamford, at least for now, and the percentage call would be Joffy starting and Bamford coming on from the bench. Aaronson would then start at no 10 where he looks best. Photo: OLI SCARFF
11. ST - Joe Gelhardt
Despite his incredibly exciting talent, 20-year-old star Gelhardt has still only started five Whites league games. But with Rodrigo out injured, Bamford on the way back and deadline day striker signing Wilfried Gnonto having only just joined and more of a long term prospect, this looks like an obvious opportunity for the young ace to get another go from the off. A huge chance for him if so and an opportunity to make the position his own. Photo: Michael Regan