Leeds signed off from their pre-season friendlies with two games in the space of four days at the back end of last week as a 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at Burton Albion was followed by Sunday’s 1-0 triumph over Hearts at Tynecastle.
New Whites boss Daniel Farke made five changes to the team that lined up against Forest at Hearts but revealed afterwards that it would be wrong to view Sunday’s team as his idea of the starting XI to face Cardiff. In any case, Leeds were dealt a double injury blow at Tynecastle in losing both of their strikers. Georginio Rutter was forced off with a core muscle injury and his replacement Patrick Bamford later injured his hamstring.
Farke was already without six other players through injuries in Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo, Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood and Stuart Dallas. Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Farke then revealed that 19-year-old striker Mateo Joseph who had replaced Bamford at Hearts was also now injured having rolled his ankle in training.
It means the Whites boss could have eight men missing for the season opener against the Bluebirds and this is the XI that we think will take to the field for Sunday’s 2.30pm kick-off at Elland Road.
7. CM - Archie Gray
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, or boy in this case. It's incredible to think that Gray is still only 17 years old and will not turn 18 until next March. It could also be argued that throwing him straight into the starting line up for what would be his Leeds debut would be a demanding ask and too much too soon. But only Struijk and Meslier played more minutes than Gray in pre-season and the teen looked to find instant synergy with Ampadu. It might be chief alternative Jamie Shackleton gets the nod but the gut feeling is that Gray could be straight into the mix for a double dose of Whites debuts in centre midfield but a professional debut in his case. Photo: LUFC
8. LW - Luis Sinisterra
Sinisterra in the Championship. It looks all set. The Colombian international featured heavily in pre-season and looks sure to start against Cardiff. It's probably just a case of whether it's out wide or at no 10. Photo: Tim Goode
9. RW - Dan James
Back at Leeds after last season's loan spell at Fulham and hopefully back with a bang. Another to feature heavily in pre-season and another likely starter against Cardiff. Photo: Matthew Peters
10. ACM - Crysencio Summerville
This is where it gets tricky as Farke looks to find the right answer in the no 10 role at a time when Leeds possibly need to find another striker option too. But Summerville got the nod in the attacking centre midfield position against Hearts in which he set up the only goal of the game for Ayling so it seems logical that he would start in the position against Cardiff as part of a supporting trio to the striker that regularly move around. Ian Poveda is another option after an impressive pre-season, either at no 10 or out wide. Photo: Clive Rose
11. ST - Willy Gnonto
No Bamford, no Rutter, no Joseph. So what now? How about a senior Italian international? After all, Wily Gnonto has had several starts upfront for Italy and now looks an obvious choice to play there although Joe Gelhardt is another option, as is Sonny Perkins although he hasn't featured of late and Dan James starting as a 9 with Gnonto out wide could be more likely than that. Equally, it wouldn't be the biggest shock to see Summerville or Sinisterra appear there. Still plenty of options although clearly hardly ideal. Photo: Matt McNulty