Leeds United boss Daniel Farke is expected to make changes to his starting XI on Wednesday night as the Whites take on Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
Leeds are currently on a three-game winning streak after seeing off the challenge of Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City and Norwich City in succession, but now travel to the Potteries where a struggling Stoke side picked up a victory over Sunderland last weekend.
1. Illan Meslier – GK
Significantly fewer flashpoints this season for Meslier in between the posts, and still five clean sheets to his name .
2. Jamie Shackleton – RB
Shackleton could return to the fold from the start in midweek. He’s been back in team training since last Monday.
3. Joe Rodon – CB
Rodon is one who could drop out for Liam Cooper if Farke demands it, but he should have done enough to retain his place in the Potteries.
4. Pascal Struijk – CB
Stand-in skipper Struijk is an ever-present this season. No reason for that to change.
5. Sam Byram – LB
Byram is a candidate to drop out after a less-than-vintage display on his return to Norwich last weekend, but he will be keen to prove his fitness by playing regularly. Leo Hjelde is also carrying an Achilles injury, in addition to Junior Firpo still not being match fit, leaving Farke’s options limited.
6. Ethan Ampadu – CM
Like Struijk, Ampadu is an ever-present under Farke in the Championship. He’ll remain in the starting XI, most probably.
7. Glen Kamara – CM
Kamara almost scored his first Leeds goal at the weekend but dragged his shot agonisingly wide of the post. It didn’t matter in the end but if he keeps crashing the box as he did during the particular passage of play, you can see Fark.
8. Crysencio Summerville – RW
Undroppable after his performance at the weekend, Summerville stays in the XI.
9. Willy Gnonto – LW
Gnonto got the nod from the bench first at Carrow Road, and impressed when he came on. Whether Dan James can hold onto his starting place remains to be seen, though.
10. Joel Piroe – CF
Despite his goals tally, Piroe has blown a little hot and cold since arriving from Swansea. Inconsistency could tempt Farke into a Patrick Bamford recall from the start but Piroe’s ability to pop up with a goal out of nothing should keep him in the XI.
11. Georginio Rutter – ST
The young Frenchman is going from strength to strength in Leeds colours – it’s only right to keep him in the team while the wind’s at his back.
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