Boss Daniel Farke made three changes to his side for Friday’s post-international break return to action at Watford as Sam Byram, Liam Cooper and Dan James all came into the XI. Willy Gnonto, Ilia Gruev and Junior Firpo dropped out of the team, Gnonto and Gruev having returned back from the international break injured and Firpo only coming back from representing the Dominican Republic very late in the the week.
The changes also led to big alterations positions-wise in the team as the Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon centre-back axis was broken by Ampadu moving into centre midfield alongside Glen Kamara. Cooper instead paired up with Rodon at centre-back, flanked by Archie Gray at right back and Byram in Firpo’s place at left back. James then came in for Gnonto out wide.
Farke then made changes after the break with Firpo replacing Cooper, leading to Ampadu dropping back to centre-back as Byram went right back, Firpo left back and Gray into midfield. Joel Piroe, Jaidon Anthony and Mateo Joseph were then introduced – the latter bagging an 85th-minute leveller as Leeds eventually left with a 2-2 draw. Leeds will make a quick return to action on Monday evening at home to Hull and this is the XI that we think will start out against the Tigers.
7. CM: Archie Gray
The return of Firpo should lead to Gray being able to line up in his natural centre midfield position which would make most sense if Gruev doesn't make it. Photo: George Wood
8. LW: Crysencio Summerville
The best player in the league said Watford boss Tom Cleverley and quite hard to argue with that one. Brilliant at Watford and clearly starts out wide. Photo: John Walton
9. RW: Dan James
Gnonto is facing around three weeks out and James on the other flank is a straightforward call although Jaidon Anthony is a live alternative. Probably from the bench though. Photo: Alex Pantling
10. ACM: Georginio Rutter
Rutter made a remarkably quick return to the XI at Watford so soon after surgery and was not surprising that he wasn't at his absolute best and eventually replaced by Joel Piroe who failed to shine. Rutter will surely benefit from the two days between the Watford and Hull games as he looks to add to his tally six goals and a brilliant 15 assists for the campaign. Photo: Ed Sykes
11. ST: Patrick Bamford
There was much more to Mateo Joseph's late cameo at Watford than his goal and the young striker must be knocking louder and louder on the door for a start in the no 9 role. He looks the future and a very bright one at that too but the call is likely to be the experience of Bamford up tops against Hull. Photo: Matt McNulty