Whites head coach Jesse Marsch now has four more additional options available to him having had seven first team players missing for last weekend’s opener at home to Wolves.
Captain Liam Cooper, summer signing Luis Sinisterra and midfielder Adam Forshaw were all back in training after injuries this week whilst winger Dan James is back available having now completed a three-game ban.
But Marsch still has Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo out injured in addition to longer term absentee Stuart Dallas.
Even with seven players out, Leeds still recorded an opening day 2-1 victory against Wolves and this is how we think Marsch will now line his side up against the Saints.
But Marsch still has Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo out injured in addition to longer term absentee Stuart Dallas.
7. CM - Marc Roca
Adam Forshaw is now back in training after tweaking his knee which gives Marsch another option but summer signings Roca and Adams are quickly forming an impressive partnership as the double midfield pivot in front of the back line. Roca and Adams looks the platform to build the team around. Photo: Ashley Allen
8. RM - Brenden Aaronson
Marsch already has some big decisions to make with his front four given that wingers James and Sinisterra are now both back available, and the fact that Mateusz Klich excelled off the bench in the win against Wolves. Aaronson, who played on the right flank, might also ended up best at no 10. But he was pretty damn nifty on the right against Wolves and it looks likely to be same again given that Rodrigo also had a strong game starting in the 10 position. Photo: David Rogers
9. LW - Jack Harrison
Marsch could start one of or both of the returning Sinisterra and James out wide but the Whites boss has already indicated that Sinisterra is not yet at 100 per cent and that a role off the bench is most likely for James upon completing his three-game ban. In short, Harrison looks pretty certain to start on the left flank. Photo: Ashley Allen
10. ACM - Rodrigo
All the signs continue to point towards record signing Rodrigo's third season at Leeds being his best after two stop-start campaigns. Mateusz Klich excelled in the no 10 role upon replacing Rodrigo in the second-half against Wolves but Rodrigo put in a decent display himself, bagging the equaliser, and will surely start on that basis, even if Aaronson at 10 or Joe Gelhardt starting are other leading options. Photo: Marc Atkins
11. ST - Patrick Bamford
Bamford wore the captain's arm band against Wolves and got 84 minutes of Premier League action under his belt, and an assist, upon his first league outing since rupturing his plantar fascia at Wolves. Leeds are continuing to assess the picture when it comes to their striker options but the Whites thrive when a fit Bamford is firing and another start at St Mary's looks the obvious next step in his continued comeback bid. Expect young star Gelhardt off the bench at some point in the second half. Photo: Ashley Allen