Leeds United face Wrexham in the club’s first pre-season friendly in America in the early hours of Sunday morning - and this is how we think the Whites will line up.
Leeds flew out to the USA on Tuesday afternoon for a pre-season tour featuring friendlies against Liverpool, Sunderland and firstly Wrexham in a 12.30am kick-off UK time on Sunday morning.
News of which players had travelled to the States was then provided on Tuesday evening, Leeds taking a squad of 30 players but with some of those joining up later in the tour after competing at the 2026 World Cup.
Leeds, though, also revealed that Switzerland international winger Noah Okafor had been given an extended break after reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup with Switzerland and had therefore not been named in the squad - unlike fellow World Cup men Brenden Aaronson, Gabi Gudmundsson and Ao Tanaka.
But two big new signings in Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic were named in the travelling party along with two stars back from injury in midfielders Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev.
The squad also includes a bunch of youngsters in order for them to gain experience within the group.
Quite what team boss Daniel Farke selects is a complete guessing game but Okafor clearly won’t feature and it seems likely that Aaronson, Gudmundsson, Tanaka will become options later in the tour - a comment that may also apply to Muharemovic given his minutes at the World Cup with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Starting lots of youngsters would also be a big call so somewhat by process of elimination, this is the XI that we think will start out against Phil Parkinson’s Red Dragons.
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1. GK: Alex Cairns
Complicated - but unless Farke goes with young Darryl Ombang or Rory Mahady then it likely now all points to a start for experienced stopper Cairns. The summer exits of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier had left Lucas Perri as clear first choice as Leeds continue in their quest to sign James Trafford as their new no 1. But news emerged on Friday that Torino were now 'closing in' on a deal to sign Perri, for all that Leeds probably won't let him go until they have another keeper in. The YEP also understands nothing is close on any transfers front. That said, with Perri's future now surely elsewhere, Cairns looks the percentage call to start vs Wrexham. | Getty Images
2. RB: Jayden Bogle
Bogle is clear first choice right who has had no international commitments this summer so there appears no reason why he won't start on the assumption that Farke opts to go with a strong XI. | Nigel French/PA Wire
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3. CB: Jaka Bijol
Slovenian giant Bijol is another who has no international commitments this summer so appeals as a likely starter in defence assuming Farke goes strong. | AFP via Getty Images
4. CB: Joe Rodon
Rodon and United's Wales internationals had a couple of June friendlies to contend with but thy were at the start of the month and the Wales warrior appeals as a likely starter with new signing Tarik Muharemovic possibly featuring later due to his involvement with Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup. If not Rodon then youngster Alfie Cresswell to start might be a decent long shot or James Justin at the heart of the defence. | Getty Images
5. LB: Jayden Lienou
Whether Farke goes with five or four at the back this season is the source of much debate but player availablity might lend itself to a back four on this occassion. United's travelling squad features a bunch of youngsters and it would be no surprise to see Lienou get a start at left back fresh from signing his new deal with first choice player in the position Gudmundsson set to feature later on. James Justin is the obvious alternative - or Sebastian Bornauw anywhere in defence. | LUFC
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6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
A four at the back would likely mean three in centre midfield and very possibly an early start for the captain. | AFP via Getty Images