Boss Daniel Farke named an unchanged side for Wednesday night’s Championship hosting of Norwich City in which a first-half Patrick Bamford header from a Dan James cross secured a 1-0 victory and a fifth win on the spin.
But both James and Archie Gray were then forced off injured in the contest for which the Whites already had Willy Gnonto, Pascal Struijk, Karl Darlow and longer-term absentee Stuart Dallas out injured. Saturday’s cup hosting of the Pilgrims now represents a third game in the space of seven days for Leeds who would put themselves in the last 16 of the competition by overcoming Plymouth.
Farke made six changes to his side for the third round trip to Peterborough United and this is how we think he will line Leeds up against the Pilgrims in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at Elland Road.
7. CM: Glen Kamara
Shackleton is a definite option, with Byram perhaps at right back instead even if Gray is out but Kamara seems the more obvious shout, perhaps with an afternoon off or on the bench for the busy Ampadu. Photo: George Wood
8. RW: Jaidon Anthony
The Bournemouth loanee was brought on at the break against Norwich as James went off injured and seems a pretty safe bet to now start out wide. A fifth change, in for James. Photo: George Wood
9. LW: Ian Poveda
Almost certainly another chance for Willy Gnonto if he's fit but the Italian has missed the last two games with a hip flexor issue so perhaps Poveda will now get a rare start having come on from the bench at Peterborough. The fifth change, in for star man Summerville who is surely near the top of the list for players to rest. A sixth change, in for Summerville. Photo: Jess Hornby
10. ST/ACM - Joel Piroe
On the bench of late and a confident choice to now come into the side but harder to predict who will partner him in the front line. A seventh change, in for the rested Rutter. Photo: George Wood
11. ST: Mateo Joseph
Fresh from penning his new long-term deal, Saturday's contest would appear to present an obvious opportunity for exciting young forward Joseph although the same looked true of the third round tie at Peterborough for which Patrick Bamford got the nod and duly scored with a wonder-strike. But Bamford has been a busy man of late in racking up the starts and maybe that will sway it. The eighth change, in for Bamford who could always be called for from the bench. Joe Gelhardt is another obvious shout but others appear ahead of him at present. Photo: LUFC