The Whites have emerged from last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Rotherham United unscathed, despite the premature departures from the game of both Liam Cooper and Georginio Rutter. Cooper went off holding his glute in the second half, while Rutter appeared to still be suffering the effects of an abdominal strain picked up on international duty with France Under 21s. But both men have recovered and are available again to face the Swans on Wednesday night. A fully fit Rutter almost certainly starts up top for Farke, to lead the press and create chances as he has been doing all season, but Cooper’s fitness has not always guaranteed football this season. Pascal Struijk had supplanted the club captain at left-sided centre-back prior to a hernia operation before the international break. Struijk made his return as Cooper’s replacement against the Millers and could once again take his place next to Joe Rodon at the heart of the Leeds defence.
Elsewhere in the side there are big calls for Farke to make. He now has Sam Byram and Junior Firpo vying for the left-back spot, while Djed Spence is fit again and ready to be reintroduced, albeit likely in a drip-fed approach given the length of time he has been out with a knee problem. If Spence is back in contention then Archie Gray’s football is likelier to come in central midfield, where Glen Kamara has been solid in recent weeks. And out wide Farke may look to freshen things up. Daniel James took a significant blow to the shin from Lee Peltier on Friday night, leaving him swollen and bloody, and Willy Gnonto held a threat during his latest substitute cameo appearance, while Ian Poveda impressed the manager in training. It’s almost certain that Crysencio Summerville retains his place in the starting line-up however, thanks to his form and the end product he has been responsible for this season.
Here’s the YEP prediction of how Farke’s Leeds could line-up as they attempt to get back to winning ways against the side sitting 17th in the Championship table, at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
7. Glen Kamara
The Finland international has looked the part since Gray moved to right-back and allowed Kamara to get his foot in the door. Photo: George Wood
8. Willy Gnonto
Daniel James has been very good this season on the right wing but a combination of that whack he took from Lee Peltier and the threat Gnonto posed when he came on maybe suggests there could be a slight opening for the latter. It's a tight call to make but maybe the time is right to give Gnonto a proper chance. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
9. Crysencio Summerville
Summerville coming out of the starting line-up would be one of the biggest shocks, due to his form and the goals he's scoring. He was Leeds' most dangerous player at Rotherham. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
10. Joel Piroe
Leeds United's number 10 continues to cover a huge amount of ground and get himself into goalscoring positions. He could do with being a bit more clinical but at present there's little reason to think he will come out of the side. Photo: George Wood
11. Georginio Rutter
If he's fit, he plays on current form. Patrick Bamford is yet to do enough with his cameos to put any real pressure on Rutter's position and chance creation alone is reason enough to stick with the Frenchman. Photo: George Wood