Predicted Leeds XI for Hearts; Summerville & Gnonto start, 23-year-old handed chance to impress

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Leeds United play their final pre-season friendly of the summer tomorrow afternoon against Hearts.

The Whites travel to Edinburgh to face last season’s Scottish Premiership’s fourth-place side, seven days before their Championship opener against Cardiff City.

Leeds will be hoping they can continue their momentum from Thursday night’s victory against Nottingham Forest, in what was their first under Daniel Farke.

Farke may field a side as close to the one that could line-up against Cardiff in a weeks’ time, but will also want to take a final look at some of those still on the fringes.

So, with that in mind, here is our predicted XI for the trip to Tynecastle.

Goalkeeper

Karl Darlow is expected to be signed in time for the trip north of the border and will therefore be keen to get some match minutes with his new side.

However, it is likely Illan Meslier keeps his place from the start, with Darlow replacing him at the break.

Defence

Cody Drameh is expected to be absent once again as he continues his recovery from a minor hamstring injury, leaving Luke Ayling to start at right-back.

Charlie Cresswell played 90 minutes against Forest and as such, could drop to the bench in place of Pascal Struijk so he can build up his match fitness, partnering captain Liam Cooper.

Sam Byram enjoyed the majority of the minutes at left-back on Thursday and so is likely to drop to the bench in place of Leo Hjelde.

Midfield

Ethan Ampadu is already a staple in midfield under Farke and will undoubtedly be handed his third consecutive start as the lynchpin in midfield.

Who partners him remains unclear at this stage, though given Darko Gyabi’s lack of minutes in the last two matches it would make sense to hand him at least a half in Scotland.

Attack

Farke continues to be spoilt for choice in attack but of his options out wide, Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville are most in need of minutes, providing the latter has recovered from concussion.

Ian Poveda was excellent off the bench against Forest on Thursday and should be handed another chance at number 10, lining up in behind Georginio Rutter.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Struijk, Cooper, Hjelde; Ampadu, Gyabi; Summerville, Poveda, Gnonto; Rutter