The Whites’ pre-season schedule will begin on Monday with players who have not participated in international competitions this summer, returning to West Yorkshire for their customary physical tests.
Leeds’ itinerary will see the players put through their paces with the club’s medical and sports science staff, in order to determine performance indicators, physical baselines and various other metrics ahead of the 2023/24 Championship campaign.
Some 26 players are due to return on Monday, just over a month on from Premier League relegation at home to Tottenham Hotspur. United’s first friendly takes place on July 12 in Oslo, against arch-rivals Manchester United. The team that plays in that fixture is highly likely to consist of those beginning pre-season training this Monday.
Those who have competed at full or youth international level recently will report back next Monday, July 10. Depending on France and England’s progress at the Under-21 European Championships which concludes on July 8, Illan Meslier and Charlie Cresswell will arrive at Thorp Arch later than the second tranche of returning players.
Here are the Leeds players expected to return this week.
7. Kris Moore - defender
Similar to Mullen, young defender Kris Moore is likely to be involved with the first-team group, at least initially, this summer. He was a regular for the promoted Under-21s last term, too. (Pic: Leeds United) Photo: Leeds United
8. Luke Ayling - defender
Back to the Championship for Leeds and Luke Ayling. The experienced full-back has one year remaining on his deal. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
9. Diogo Monteiro - defender
Winter signing Monteiro has appeared for Portugal's Under-18s this summer but his international engagements concluded some time ago, meaning he'll be raring to go for pre-season day one with the senior group. (Pic: Leeds United) Photo: Leeds United
10. Cody Drameh - defender
It could be a crucial few weeks for Cody Drameh at Leeds, beginning with his pre-season testing on Monday. He was part of the Luton Town squad who secured promotion via the Championship play-offs just over a month ago. He'll need game-time guarantees if he's to stick around at Elland Road. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Pantling
11. Robin Koch - defender
There's been plenty of noise surrounding Koch's future at Elland Road already this summer, with claims in Germany suggesting he can leave on loan and then for free at the end of next season. Leeds dispute this, and the German international will be subject to pre-season testing in a Leeds tracksuit when he returns. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Photo: Julian Finney
12. Diego Llorente - defender
Diego Llorente has competed in a major European final since he last pulled on a Leeds United shirt. Having spent the last six months away in Italy with Roma, negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs for the Spaniard's signature. For the time being, at least, he remains Leeds' player. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Photo: Michael Regan