Whites head coach Javi Gracia made four changes to his side for Saturday’s clash at leaders Arsenal as injured duo Willy Gnonto and Max Wober dropped out of the XI in addition to Patrick Bamford and Weston McKennie who were both benched.
Pascal Struijk, Rasmus Kristensen, Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra all came into the side as Gracia selected a team without a natural striker and opted to play Kristensen in centre midfield.
Gracia was also without injured trio Tyler Adams, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw in addition to sidelined pair Gnonto and Wober.
The Whites boss provided his latest team news at Monday afternoon’s press conference, at which he revealed that nothing had changed in just two or three days on the injury front. Gracia also said he expected a much more offensive game from Leeds against Forest and this is the XI that we think he will select for the Tuesday night clash under the Elland Road lights.
7. CM - Weston McKennie
McKennie dropped to the bench at Arsenal as right back Rasmus Kristensen was surprisingly given the nod to partner Marc Roca in the middle of the park. Kristensen then scored United's only goal at the Emirates, taking his tally to two goals in his last two games, and the Dane was praised by Gracia in his post-match press conference. There must be a strong chance that he'll keep his place in the side, either replacing Ayling at right back or staying in midfield, but McKennie is the more natural and attacking option. It's worth remembering that McKennie had been suffering from flu and fever on international duty with the USA, perhaps explaining why he dropped to the bench at Arsenal. The second of three changes, in for the perhaps unfortunate Kristensen. Photo: George Wood
8. RW - Crysencio Summerville
Summerville was undoubtedly the brightest Leeds attacking spark at Arsenal and looks just about the most certain starter of the front four. It's probably just a case of who is on the other flank. Photo: Stu Forster
9. LW - Jack Harrison
Luis Sinisterra was given his first start since February at Arsenal but often struggled with the pace of the game and was taken off in the 65th minute. It could be a close call who starts but Harrison might well get the nod on the left although he could also play in centre midfield. Brenden Aaronson or Georginio Rutter are other options in addition to Sinisterra. Photo: George Wood
10. ACM - Brenden Aaronson
Gracia is clearly a big fan of Aaronson who was played even further forward at Arsenal as Leeds lined up without a natural striker. Gracia, though, will surely go with a natural centre forward against Forest and Aaronson dropping back into the central attacking midfielder role looks likely with Rodrigo still working his way back to full fitness and Rutter not bagging many minutes of late. Photo: George Wood
11. ST - Patrick Bamford
Bamford dropped to the bench at Arsenal and was only introduced with five minutes left, a full 20 minutes after Rodrigo had been brought on. But Gracia admitted at Monday's pre-match press conference that Rodrigo was not still not at his best condition and Bamford appears by far the most likely starter upfront, assuming Gracia now opts for a natural striker. The third of three changes, effectively in for Sinisterra. Rutter is the other obvious option. Photo: George Wood