Skubala and his caretaker management team had nine players out for last weekend’s hosting of Manchester United for which Liam Cooper, Marc Roca, Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk joined Rodrigo, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray and Sonny Perkins on the sidelines. But Skubala will be boosted by the return of at least two of those absentees for Saturday’s Premier League showdown against the Toffees at Goodison Park.
Speaking at Thursday afternoon’s pre-match press conference, Skubala revealed that Struijk was back after concussion and that young forward Perkins was also back on the grass after a recent ankle injury.
Skubala added that the longer-term absentees remained out but that both Cooper and Roca were “touch and go” following recent knocks. Sinisterra, he said, was also close but a little bit further behind Cooper and Roca. Following the latest Whites team news, this is the Leeds XI that we think will step out at Goodison Park.
7. CM - Weston McKennie
The January recruit has got stuck in from the off, taking absolutely no prisoners, as always looked likely. The tough tackling partnership of Adams and McKennie will likely be key against the Toffees. Photo: OLI SCARFF
8. CM - Jack Harrison
It's surely a toss up between Roca and Harrison alongside/in front of Adams and McKennie assuming Skubala opts for three in midfield. Much will depend on Roca's condition but given the caretaker boss's comment about taking no risks perhaps it will be Harrison who starts. Photo: Stu Forster
9. RW - Crysencio Summerville
Summerville squandered United's best chances against the Red Devils but the flip side of that observation is that his pace, skill and pressing often led to the creation of those chances in the first place. Even with Sinisterra injured, lining up with Georginio Rutter out wide or Brenden Aaronson are obvious alternatives but Summerville looks likely to keep his place in the side. Photo: George Wood
10. LW - Willy Gnonto
The teenage Italian sensation was quiet by his own recent brilliant standards in last weekend's clash against the Red Devils but there can be no doubt that he is already United's star attacker and one of the first names if not the first name on the team sheet. The sort of player who could cause Everton's defence chaos if it all clicks. Photo: Stu Forster
11. ST - Patrick Bamford
Bamford or Rutter? Which is basically what it boils down to with Rodrigo out and not expected back until the end of March. Skubala has gone with Bamford in both of his two games in charge so far with Rutter then replacing him midway through the second half. Leeds need goals and Bamford is not providing them at present but his hold up play was massively missed after he'd been taken off on Sunday and that asset will surely be crucial against Everton's physical defence. Rutter out wide might be a better option and the strong feeling is that Bamford will start. Fit again youngster Sonny Perkins is now another option for Skubala off the bench. Photo: Michael Regan