Boss Javi Gracia made just two the two changes to his side for Monday night’s hosting of Liverpool for which Rasmus Kristensen replaced the dropped Luke Ayling at right back in addition to Rodrigo coming in for the injured Patrick Bamford upfront.
Leeds were walloped for the second home game in succession as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds romped to a 6-1 victory which left the Whites fifth-bottom and just two points clear of the drop zone with only seven games left.
Saturday lunchtime’s trip to tenth-placed Fulham is next, ahead of which Gracia held his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon at which the Spaniard provided some updates on injuries and fitness of key men.
On the back of Monday’s blitz and Gracia’s updates, this is the XI that we think ill step out at Craven Cottage.
7. CM - Weston McKennie
Dropping Jack Harrison back into a deeper and more central midfield role is another option for Gracia but the likelihood would be the axis of McKennie and Adams that worked for Leeds at Wolves. Photo: Stu Forster
8. RW - Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United's second half against Liverpool was a disaster but Summerville made a reasonably bright impact upon being brought on from the bench as he weaved his way into the area a couple of times. He's surely knocking on the door for a start and might get one at the expense of Luis Sinisterra who has been lively himself of late but appeared to take a knock before coming off for in the 77th minute, albeit his number was already up. There has been no update on Sinisterra since and it might have just been cramp but either way there could be a change out wide. Giving Georginio Rutter a go out wide is the other main option. Photo: Stu Forster
9. LW - Jack Harrison
Harrison has started every game under Gracia so far and whilst every position is somewhat up for grabs at present, the feeling is that Harrison will again be in the side and more than likely on the left flank. Photo: Alex Livesey
10. ACM - Willy Gnonto
Why isn't Gnonto starting has been the big burning question on plenty of Whites' fans lips and Gracia admitted at Thursday's pre-match press conference that he had been holding the Italian international teenage forward back a bit following issues upon his return from an ankle injury suffered during the international break. But Gracia also revealed that Gnonto was now ready to roll and surely the player who is clearly United's brightest attacking spark when firing has to come back into the side at Fulham although even then there would be a question mark as to what position he would play - central or out wide. The fourth and final change, in for Brenden Aaronson as a second striker or no 10. Photo: Matt McNulty
11. ST - Rodrigo
The top scorer came back into the side against Liverpool for his first start since returning from injury and the strong likelihood is that he will now stay there. Patrick Bamford is clearly the main alternative but the Whites no 9 missed out against Liverpool due to a calf injury and Gracia said on Thursday that he would have to wait and see on Bamford's condition. Photo: Matt McNulty