23-year-old back in from the cold: Leeds’ best XI amid current injury crisis

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Leeds United are currently in the midst of a major injury crisis.

Despite being just one game into the season, Leeds are already without 11 first team players following the club’s update on Tuesday evening.

Heading into the game against Cardiff City, Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Stuart Dallas, Jack Harrison, Tyler Adams, Cody Drameh, Junior Firpo, Sam Greenwood and Mateo Joseph were all already on the treatment table.

Daniel Farke’s woes were added to in that game, with Liam Cooper and Crysencio Summerville both set to miss the next eight and three weeks respectively.

So, with Leeds down to the barebones, here is a look at their best current starting XI.

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper is about the only position Leeds are well covered in and Illan Meslier remains the club’s number one despite the signing of Karl Darlow.

Defence

Joe Rodon and Max Aarons are expected to arrive before the weekend trip to Birmingham City, but at the time of writing have not officially been signed and therefore not included in this.

That means, for now, Luke Ayling keeps his place at right-back, with Sam Byram proving himself to be ahead of Leo Hjelde currently on the other side.

Leeds’ only fit centre-backs are Charlie Cresswell and Pascal Struijk, with the duo forming a partnership for the first time in the second half on Sunday.

Midfield

Leeds really would be struggling if they lost anymore of their central midfield players but as things stand, Ethan Ampadu and Archie Gray are very much Daniel Farke’s first choice pairing.

It is an area that will require at least two new fresh faces before the window slams shut at the beginning of September.

Attack

Summerville’s groin injury means Ian Poveda, after being out in the cold at the start of pre-season, is now part of Leeds’ best current starting XI after shining in all of the summer friendlies, and impressing from the bench against Cardiff.

Luis Sinisterra and Dan James remain the best two options in behind Wilfried Gnonto, who led the line admirably on his own for the first time at the weekend.

Best current XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Cresswell, Struijk, Byram; Ampadu, Gray; Poveda, Sinisterra, James; Gnonto