Predicted Leeds XI for Nottingham Forest; Drameh returns, 19-year-old makes first Farke start

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Leeds United are set for their third pre-season friendly of the summer against Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

The Whites have been beaten 2-0 in each of their opening two matches against Manchester United and AS Monaco but will be hoping for a better result against slightly inferior opposition.

It is unlikely any new signings will be in place before Thursday night’s game and as such, Daniel Farke is likely to have a similar squad to the one that faced Monaco.

Farke is almost certainly set to make changes from the side that started at the weekend with some players in need of match minutes more than others.

So, with that in mind, here is a look at how Leeds could line-up.

Goalkeeper

While Karl Darlow is in advanced talks to become Leeds’ second signing of the summer, he is still out in the USA with Newcastle United and is very unlikely to be signed in time to be involved.

As such, Illan Meslier is expected to keep his place between the sticks, with Kristoffer Klaesson potentially getting some minutes too.

Defence

Luke Ayling played the majority of the minutes at the weekend and so Cody Drameh could come in for him at right-back, with Leo Hjelde keeping his place on the other side.

Charlie Cresswell is in need of more of minutes and could come in for his first start of pre-season to partner Liam Cooper. Pascal Struijk may start on the bench after playing the full 90 minutes against Monaco.

Midfield

Ethan Ampadu produced an impressive showing on his first outing for the club and given how key he is set to be this season, will likely be handed another start.

With Archie Gray having played an hour on Saturday, Darko Gyabi could come into replace him after an impressive showing against Man United.

Attack

Wilfried Gnonto, Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt are all yet to start either of Leeds’ first two matches this summer and could therefore come in for Dan James, Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra respectively.

Georginio Rutter led the line in both matches against Man United and Monaco but it may well be useful to hand him a start from out wide at the Pirelli Stadium to see what he can do from deeper.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Drameh, Cresswell, Cooper, Hjelde; Ampadu, Gyabi; Rutter, Gelhardt, Gnonto; Bamford