The Whites and Saints have both had more than a full week to prepare for Sunday afternoon’s date with destiny, Leeds booking their place in the Wembley showdown by hammering Norwich City 4-0 last Thursday evening in the play-offs semi-final second leg at Elland Road.
Bengal Brasserie Arena Quarter – serving authentic Indian cuisine in the heart of the city. Proudly supporting Leeds United and the YEP.
Southampton then got rolling after a goalless first half in the following night’s second semi-final second leg at home to West Brom, recording a 3-1 success to book a winner-takes-all clash against Leeds. Both teams were without key men for the semi-finals and late injury news was always going to prove key.
After fresh updates from managers Daniel Farke and Russell Martin, here we run through the injuries from both camps.
1. Stuart Armstrong (out)
Saints midfielder Armstrong was named in Scotland's provisional 28-man squad for this summer's Euros on Wednesday but he remains out injured having been stretchered off during the closing stages of last month's defeat at Cardiff City. A quad injury, the issue did not prove as bad as first feared, hence his Euros inclusion. Photo: George Tewkesbury
2. Patrick Bamford (out)
Whites no 9 Bamford missed United’s last two games of the regular Championship season with an injury that was initially believed to a heavily bruised knee. Bamford, tough, was then ruled out for both legs of the play-offs semi-final against Norwich City after new diagnosis revealed mini trauma in his patellar tendon. Bamford said last week that he would need to train by Wednesday to have any chance of being involved and Farke revealed on Friday that he was definitely out. A fresh blow. Photo: George Wood
3. Pascal Struijk (out)
Struijk's season was ended by surgery on a groin injury which has kept him out since Boxing Day. Photo: George Wood
4. Stuart Dallas (out)
Whites favourite Dallas is retiring due the femoral fracture suffered against Manchester City in April 2022 that he has sadly been unable to recover from. Photo: Ed Sykes
5. Gavin Bazunu (out)
The first-choice Saints keeper ruptured his Achilles in the warm-up of last month's hosting of Preston North End and the Republic of Ireland international stopper is facing up to ten months out. Experienced keeper Alex McCarthy has taken his place between the sticks. Photo: David Davies
6. Juan Larios (out)
Spanish youth international left back Larios has not featured for the Saints since November 2022 due to a series of injuries and fitness issues. A long-term absentee. Photo: Warren Little