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Predicted Leeds XI for West Brom clash: 21-year-old starts in attack as new signing handed debut

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Leeds United will be looking for their first win of the season when they host West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

Daniel Farke’s side were beaten 1-0 at Birmingham City last time out and have endured a tough five days since then with no new signings through the door and the futures of both Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra unclear.

Leeds’ squad, though, will certainly look stronger for the game against West Brom than it did at St. Andrews.

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Georginio Rutter and new signing Joe Rodon have now both had a full week of training under their belts, while Sam Greenwood is also back in contention.

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

Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier is expected to remain as Leeds’ number one ahead of summer signing Karl Darlow, who has only featured in the Carabao Cup so far since his move from Newcastle United.

Defence

Farke certainly has a decision to make at right-back after two poor performances from Luke Ayling, and as such Cody Drameh should be handed a start, with Sam Byram on the other flank.

Charlie Cresswell was solid enough at Birmingham last time out but Rodon should come in for his debut alongside Pascal Struijk.

Midfield

Ethan Ampadu and Archie Gray have both started all three of Leeds’ matches in all competitions so far this season, and are expected to do so again.

Attack

Leeds’ attack was extremely toothless in the defeat at Birmingham, though Farke still doesn’t have a great deal to choose from with Sinisterra, Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville still out.

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That said, there is no doubt Rutter should come in from the start and lead the line, with Joe Gelhardt handed another chance just in behind.

Jamie Shackleton was poor on the right-wing and therefore should drop to the bench, with Ian Poveda and Daniel James on either flank.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Drameh, Rodon, Struijk, Byram; Ampadu, Gray; Poveda, Gelhardt, James; Rutter