Whites boss Daniel Farke made six changes to his team for last weekend’s third round FA Cup clash at Peterborough United as Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Dan James, Glen Kamara and Liam Cooper all dropped to the bench whilst Sam Byram missed out altogether due to a hamstring injury.
Junior Firpo replaced Byram at left back as Jamie Shackleton, Ilia Gruev, Jaidon Anthony, Willy Gnonto and Joel Piroe also all came into the side. Byram’s absence with a hamstring injury left Farke with six men out, the full-back joining Pascal Struijk (groin), Joe Gelhardt (glute), longer term absentee Stuart Dallas (femoral fracture) and back up keeper Karl Darlow (dislocated thumb) on the sidelines in addition to the suspended Illan Meslier who served the final match of a three-game ban.
Meslier is now back available for this weekend’s league return to Cardiff, ahead of which Byram and Gelhardt have both returned to team training in addition to Ian Poveda who Farke has revealed had been suffering from illness. But Struijk remains sidelined in addition to Darlow plus Dallas and Farke has also revealed that Cooper is a major doubt due to groin issues.
Luke Ayling has also now exited the scene having completed his move to Middlesbrough, leaving Farke particularly light on defensive options and this is the XI that we think will start United’s first league away trip of 2024 in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off in Wales.
7. CM: Ilia Gruev
A position that might end up picking itself if Ampadu ends up at centre-back and Gray at right back. That all depends on the fitness of both Byram and Cooper in addition to Farke's view on Cresswell but there are doubts concerning all three and a centre midfield axis of Kamara and Gruev looks most likely. Photo: Nick Potts
8. LW: Crysencio Summerville
The star winger was rested at Peterborough where he was an unused substitute as Jaidon Anthony and Willy Gnonto were given starts out wide but there can be no doubt that star man Summerville will be back in the side as he looks to add to his brilliant haul of 12 goals and six assists. The third change, in for Anthony. Photo: George Wood
9. RW: Dan James
James also dropped to the bench at Peterborough but it would be a big surprise if he too did not return to the XI. A fourth change, in for Gnonto, as James looks to add to his own impressive haul of eight goals and five assists this term. Photo: George Wood
10. ACM: Georginio Rutter
Rutter was another rested at Peterborough and there can be no doubt that the record signing will now return to the front line. But in which position? Farke went with his regular striker Rutter as a no 10 and Bamford as a no 9 for the New Year's Day win against Birmingham before trying a combo of Bamford just in front of Joel Piroe at Peterborough. But there could be plenty of mileage in playing Rutter as a no 10 and that might be the call. Photo: George Wood
11. ST: Patrick Bamford
Can't be dropped after a goal like his at Peterborough. In all seriousness, Bamford has looked in decent nick all-round upon his return to the XI and there must be a strong chance of him now being 'first choice' no 9, supported by Rutter as a 10, as was the case against Birmingham. It's a big call given the amount of games that Rutter and Piroe have started together as a front pair but Bamford's experience could be another factor in him getting the nod at a time when Struijk is injured and Cooper a big doubt. Photo: George Wood