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.placeholder image
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

Leeds United predicted lineup v Wrexham with new signing, keeper change & youngster start but attacker missing

Lee Sobot
By Lee Sobot

Leeds United writer

Published 24th Jul 2026, 12:59 GMT
Updated 24th Jul 2026, 18:27 GMT

Leeds United’s first pre-season friendly of the summer is finally almost upon us.

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.

Longstaff is another of those who has had no international commitments this summer and appeals as a very likely starter especially with Tanaka likely to feature later on.

7. CM: Sean Longstaff

Longstaff is another of those who has had no international commitments this summer and appeals as a very likely starter especially with Tanaka likely to feature later on. | Getty Images

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Stach's end to the 2025-26 season was cut short by an ankle injury but the injury was not a serious one and there's probably a reasonable chance of him starting although returning youngster Charlie Crew and another youngster in Rhys Chadwick might be in the mix too, or Ilia Gruev depending on his condition.

8. CM: Anton Stach

Stach's end to the 2025-26 season was cut short by an ankle injury but the injury was not a serious one and there's probably a reasonable chance of him starting although returning youngster Charlie Crew and another youngster in Rhys Chadwick might be in the mix too, or Ilia Gruev depending on his condition. | Getty Images

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Here he is! A superb summer signing on a free transfer after leaving Fulham and it seems highly likely that Wilson will make his Whites debut against Wrexham and possibly from the start.

9. RW: Harry Wilson

Here he is! A superb summer signing on a free transfer after leaving Fulham and it seems highly likely that Wilson will make his Whites debut against Wrexham and possibly from the start. | LUFC

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Okafor has not travelled whilst Aaronson will surely only feature later on which takes out two winger options. It might then be a choice of James or Willy Gnonto with James possibly getting the call.

10. LW: Dan James

Okafor has not travelled whilst Aaronson will surely only feature later on which takes out two winger options. It might then be a choice of James or Willy Gnonto with James possibly getting the call. | Getty Images

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin is clearly the first choice no 9 who has travelled and might well start but Nmecha featured heavily in pre-season last summer and might get the nod up tops although Joel Piroe is another option, as is a front two.

11. ST: Lukas Nmecha

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is clearly the first choice no 9 who has travelled and might well start but Nmecha featured heavily in pre-season last summer and might get the nod up tops although Joel Piroe is another option, as is a front two. | AFP via Getty Images

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