Leeds United fall to defeat at Stoke City as Premier League preparations continue

Leeds United fell to a 3-0 pre-season defeat at Championship outfit Stoke City on Tuesday lunchtime.

Marcelo Bielsa was without several key first-team players in Staffordshire amid the international break ahead of a number of Nations League fixtures.

New signings Rodrigo and Robin Koch were absent as they represent their respective countries alongside Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Mateusz Klich, Stuart Dallas and Gjanni Alioski.

The Whites named a 15-man squad for the outing at the bet365 stadium with stopper Kiko Casilla starting in goal.

Luke Ayling captained the team alongside Barry Douglas, Oliver Casey, Pascal Struijk and Leif Davis.

Jamie Shackleton, Jack Harrison, Helder Costa, Pablo Hernandez and Patrick Bamford all featured while Elia Caprile, Ian Poveda, Tyler Roberts and Robbie Gotts also travelled.

Nathan Collins opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half during the 80 minute encounter after a scramble at a corner.

Forward Lee Gregory then converted a Tom Ince cross after the break before the latter completed the scoring for Michael O'Neill's men.

United continue to step up their preparations for the new Premier League campaign which will get underway at Liverpool on September 12.

Leeds United XI v Stoke: Casilla, Ayling (c), Douglas, Casey, Struijk, Davis, Shackleton, Harrison, Costa, Hernandez, Bamford. Subs: Caprile, Poveda, Roberts, Gotts.