Leeds are still seeking their first league win of the new campaign and looking to bounce back from Saturday’s extremely disappointing 1-0 defeat at Birmingham City. Whites boss Daniel Farke still had ten players out injured for the trip to St Andrew’s in Liam Cooper, Crysencio Summerville, Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph, Tyler Adams, Junior Firpo, Sam Greenwood, Sonny Perkins, longer-term absentee Stuart Dallas and also Jack Harrison who has since joined Everton on loan. Luis Sinisterra was also “not available” in addition to Willy Gnonto who had informed Farke that he was once again unable to play upon being told by the club that he would not be sold this summer.
But Georginio Rutter returned from a core muscle injury as a second-half substitute at St Andrew’s and Farke revealed at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference that Rutter, Greenwood and also new signing Joe Rodon had all experienced a full week of training this week and that Perkins was back from illness.
Farke also revealed that Leo Hjelde would miss Friday night’s contest due to concussion suffered in training and that Gnonto, Sinisterra and also Helder Costa had been “removed from the dressing room” and were training alone. Upon Farke’s latest team news, this is the Whites XI that we think will start out against Carlos Corberan’s Baggies in the 8pm kick-off under the LS11 lights.
7. CM - Archie Gray
The brightest light of them all at present, at 17 years of age. Excellent upon being handed his big chance and the only debate is whether he starts next to Ampadu in the double pivot or as a no 10 with possibly Jamie Shackleton partnering Ampadu. The former looks more likely. Photo: George Wood
8. RW - Ian Poveda
Poveda was tried in the no 10 role at Birmingham but without much joy and Farke might now change things around and perhaps shift Poveda out to the right wing. Jamie Shackleton was given a go in the position at St Andrew's but appears best as a centre midfielder or right back option. Photo: Nigel French
9. LW - Dan James
James was often Leeds' main attacking outlet at Birmingham but the Wales international could not muster the end product. That said, his pace will always threaten to cause problems and he looks a certain starter out wide given the doubts about Sinisterra and Gnonto in addition to Summerville's injury. Photo: Alex Caparros
10. ACM - Joe Gelhardt
Farke turned to Gelhardt in the no 9 role at Birmingham but very little stuck for him and Gelhardt was eventually substituted for Rutter as the record signing made his return from injury with 23 minutes left. Rutter couldn't get going either but the suspicion remains that Gelhardt would be seen to a better light as a no 10. Photo: Alex Caparros
11. ST - Georginio Rutter
A more gradual return to the team would probably be ideal for Rutter following his recent return from a core muscle injury but ideal times these are not and Leeds are crying out for someone to grasp the nettle in the no 9 role. Whether Rutter proves the answer remains to be seen but he looks the natural call against West Brom assuming he is fit enough with Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph still out. Sonny Perkins is now back from illness but it would be ask to put him straight into the fold and everything probably points to Rutter. The second of two changes, in for Shackleton as part of a rotation of the front four. Photo: Tim Goode