Farke still had seven players missing for Thursday night’s penultimate warm up match against Nottingham Forest for which Cody Drameh and Crysencio Summerville were both absent in addition to Tyler Adams, Sam Greenwood, Junior Firpo, Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas. Max Wober also missed out, the Austrian closing in on a move to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Summerville was coming to the end of a concussion protocol absence whilst Drameh was suffering from a seven-day hamstring issue. Leeds will begin their Championship promotion quest exactly one week after the Hearts clash with an opening weekend hosting of Cardiff City on Sunday, August 6.
The Whites XI that takes to the pitch at Hearts will likely provide huge clues as to how Leeds line up on the opening day and this is the team that we think will start Sunday’s final friendly at Tynecastle Park (3pm kick-off).
7. CM - Jamie Shackleton
Farke has two very talented teenage centre midfielders on his hands in Archie Gray and Darko Gyabi and the Whites boss said after Thursday night's win against Monaco that age was not an issue. "If the 17 or 18 year old guy is ready, he plays, it’s as simple as that." Gray has looked particularly impressive this summer and this season might well be his coming of age, at 17! But Farke said he was also cautious of pushing young players too early and the versatile Jamie Shackleton got the nod to start against Forest, moving to right back in the second half as Gray was introduced from the bench. It's a hard call for Farke but Shackleton might just edge it although Gray getting the nod would be no surprise and looks the definite best call long term. Photo: Matthew Peters
8. RW/ACM - Luis Sinisterra
Sinisterra in the Championship would be a sight to behold and it's all seemingly on course to happen. The Colombian international started against Forest and once again looked a menace before being replaced by Ian Poveda who then proved a revelation himself after the break. Farke is not short of wing options at present but Sinisterra still looks the pick of the bunch and the 24-year-old has also looked pretty nifty as a number 10 this summer which is possible food for thought. Photo: Tim Goode
9. LW - Dan James
Sinisterra, Willy Gnonto, Poveda, James, Crysencio Summerville (if fit), take your pick. Georginio Rutter could even play out wide. It's anyone's guess but James has featured very heavily in pre-season, getting another 67 minutes against Forest, and looks the percentage call on that basis although Poveda would surely start if repeating displays like his second half performance against Forest. Possibly best as a no 10 though. Photo: LUFC
10. RW/ACM - Willy Gnonto
Joe Gelhardt has featured heavily in the no 10 role in pre-season and the first thought is that he will line up in that position against Hearts and quite likely come the season opener against Hearts too. But surely a Leeds strongest XI has to feature Gnonto in it? The Italian international teenager has yet to start in pre-season but that might well change at Hearts and there is the obvious option of playing him out wide with another of the attacking options at no 10, Sinisterra in particular or Poveda based on Thursday's viewing. Photo: Matt McNulty
11. ST - Patrick Bamford
The million dollar question. Bamford or Rutter, although there is a definite feeling that Leeds could still do with another no 9 option to guarantee an abundance of goals in their promotion bid. Bamford was given the nod against Forest and his coolly taken goal will likely have acted as a confidence boost. The striker was also praised by Farke in his post-match press debrief and his tried and tested Championship experience in the role is likely to have him starting when fit from the options currently available. Photo: OLI SCARFF