Boss Jesse Marsch made three changes to his side for the New Year’s Eve clash at Newcastle United as Tyler Adams returned from suspension to line up in a side in which Luke Ayling and Jack Harrison also came into the XI. Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen and Sam Greenwood all dropped to the bench from the team that started Wednesday night’s hosting of Manchester City.
Marsch then made five changes during the game itself, starting with the introduction of Roca for Forshaw during the half-time break. Harrison was then taken off for Mateusz Klich in the 64th minute before a double change six minutes later saw Ayling and Willy Gnonto replaced by Kristensen and Crysencio Summerville – the latter returning from injury.
A final change with just eight minutes left saw Rodrigo withdrawn for Joe Gelhardt. Just four days later, Leeds are back in action once more against the Hammers and this is the XI that we think will start out against David Moyes’ side in the 7.45pm kick-off at Elland Road.
Patrick Bamford and Luis Sinisterra missed out at Newcastle due to injury in addition to longer-term absentee Stuart Dallas but Marsch had been hoping that Bamford would return to training this week.
A final change with just eight minutes left saw Rodrigo withdrawn for Joe Gelhardt. Just four days later, Leeds are back in action once more against the Hammers and this is the XI that we think will start out against David Moyes’ side in the 7.45pm kick-off at Elland Road.
![Roca dropped to the bench at Newcastle but he and Adams formed a solid midfield axis during the first portion of the season before the World Cup break and that would now seem likely to resume. But will the duo be joined by a third midfielder or line up in a 4-2-2-2?](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZhMTJjZjhmLTFiNDYtNDU5NS1iMjIzLWU2OGNiMDNkYjU4YzoxNGZhZTkxNC01N2FlLTRhYmItODBkMC1jOGMzMTQyZjViYTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. CM - Marc Roca
Roca dropped to the bench at Newcastle but he and Adams formed a solid midfield axis during the first portion of the season before the World Cup break and that would now seem likely to resume. But will the duo be joined by a third midfielder or line up in a 4-2-2-2? Photo: George Wood
![Marsch might opt for a 4-3-3 which would likely mean a start for Forshaw, Sam Greenwood or Mateusz Klich on the assumption that Roca comes back in. But 4-2-2-2 has been the American's main go-to system and it looked that way at Newcastle so there must be a strong chance that the 'third man' will be Brenden Aaronson as an attacking midfielder/no 10.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRjNjgzN2Y0LTdmYTUtNGJiYi04NzY4LTNiNmY1ODFmZTE2ZDo3ZDA2ZWZhNS0yMjMwLTRkYTItYTlkNS0wZjU5MzVlZTMzMDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. ACM - Brenden Aaronson
Marsch might opt for a 4-3-3 which would likely mean a start for Forshaw, Sam Greenwood or Mateusz Klich on the assumption that Roca comes back in. But 4-2-2-2 has been the American's main go-to system and it looked that way at Newcastle so there must be a strong chance that the 'third man' will be Brenden Aaronson as an attacking midfielder/no 10. Photo: Stu Forster
![Twenty-one-year-old Dutch winger Summerville was making enormous strides before the World Cup break, scoring four goals in four games, but his return after Christmas was delayed somewhat by the injury picked up in the friendly against Elche in Spain. But Summerville returned from the bench as a second-half sub at Newcastle and now seems likely to come back into the side.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk1OTg1MDllLTEwZTMtNGU2MC1iNmE5LTYyNDUzNDQ4ZTkzMDozOGZkZWNjMC04NjFkLTQ1MzItOTcwZi0yYTNiMGQwODEzMWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. RW - Crysencio Summerville
Twenty-one-year-old Dutch winger Summerville was making enormous strides before the World Cup break, scoring four goals in four games, but his return after Christmas was delayed somewhat by the injury picked up in the friendly against Elche in Spain. But Summerville returned from the bench as a second-half sub at Newcastle and now seems likely to come back into the side. Photo: Stu Forster
![The 19-year-old Italian international is another young forward progressing at a rate of knots and again caused bother at Newcastle. He surely has to start which would probably mean Jack Harrison dropping out of the XI assuming that Summerville comes in and Aaronson also starts.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjMyYWFkZTExLTFhNDItNDU5YS05YTM3LTUwNWY2YTUwZDViMjphNTZjN2RhZi1mZDQ0LTRiYjYtOTcwOS1jZjRmYzM0NWM4ZDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. LW - Willy Gnonto
The 19-year-old Italian international is another young forward progressing at a rate of knots and again caused bother at Newcastle. He surely has to start which would probably mean Jack Harrison dropping out of the XI assuming that Summerville comes in and Aaronson also starts. Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
![Marsch had been hoping that Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford would return to training this week after groin surgery followed by illness but Bamford has been out for a while and Rodrigo is the clear first choice up tops at present. The record signing was rather isolated at Newcastle but Leeds will hope that it's a different story against a Hammers side heading to Elland Road following five-straight defeats. Joe Gelhardt is the other main alternative to Bamford.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjMzYmExNjA4LTI2OTItNDIzMC1hYWM1LTI3YjMzNDZlYzE5MDo0NzMyOTg1Yi02ZDQ5LTQyMjUtYjk0ZS03Y2E0MTgzYTNlNTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. ST - Rodrigo
Marsch had been hoping that Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford would return to training this week after groin surgery followed by illness but Bamford has been out for a while and Rodrigo is the clear first choice up tops at present. The record signing was rather isolated at Newcastle but Leeds will hope that it's a different story against a Hammers side heading to Elland Road following five-straight defeats. Joe Gelhardt is the other main alternative to Bamford. Photo: Stu Forster