Big Leeds United team news has been provided for Sunday’s Premier League clash at Sunderland - leading to a new predicted line-up for Daniel Farke’s Whites.
Farke has named an unchanged team for United’s last five games but the Whites boss then revealed that key men Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Anton Stach were all carrying injuries at Friday’s pre-Sunderland press conference.
The Whites boss said all three were doubtful and that none of them would have been able to play if they game was on Friday, Calvert-Lewin suffering a bruised foot in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United, Stach also nursing a foot injury and Okafor struggling with an adductor problem.
Farke, though, said that an extra two days at least offered hope although the Whites boss pointed out that particular care was needed with Okafor’s issue in being a muscular injury.
It’s a bit of a guessing game but it now looks fairly sure that there will be at least some sort of change to the team for the first time in six games and this is how we think Leeds will now line up.
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1. GK: James Trafford
No doubts about the new no 1 or any of the defenders apart from Rodon who is still out and Trafford is one of many no-brainer picks in the XI. The new record signing and new no 1 was very alert during the draw against Man United and you'd like to think there'd be a good chance of a clean sheet at Sunderland. | Getty Images
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2. RWB: Jayden Bogle
The right back who plays more like a right winger was probably United's biggest threat going forward in open play against the Red Devils and he's another automatic selection. Surely only a matter of time before he gets an England call. | Bruce Rollinson/PA Wire
3. CB: James Justin
Joe Rodon is gradually nearing a return and Jaka Bijol is also waiting in the wings on the bench but it would appear likely that the back three will stay the same for now and at least until Rodon is back. Who makes way then will be an interesting call. | Getty Images
4. CB: Nico Elvedi
Swiss international defender Elvedi has proved an excellent signing for just £8.5m from Borussia Monchengladbach and will take some shifting from the side even when Rodon is back. | Getty Images
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5. CB: Tarik Muharemovic
Muharemovic wasn't cheap at £34.1m from Sassuolo but even that price tag is now looking like a snip after his early season displays. Quite clearly a class act defender and another of the first names on the team sheet. Could be an intriguing battle with Brian Brobbey if the powerful Sunderland striker is fit. | Getty Images
6. LWB: Gabi Gudmundsson
Clear first choice left back and another no-brainer pick, Like Bogle, the Swede could prove key at both ends of the pitch against the Black Cats as he bombs up and down the left flank. | Getty Images