Daniel Farke is likely to make some changes to his Leeds United starting XI tonight.
Farke is less than impressed with the scheduling of Leeds’ upcoming matches with the trip to Chelsea today the first of four in 10 days, with a crucial period in the promotion push ahead.
Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford are among those who are doubtful fitness wise, and it feels highly unlikely they will be risked with Huddersfield Town away on Saturday lunchtime.
He did, however, hint that Connor Roberts could be handed his first Leeds start since joining on loan from Burnley following his brilliant impact from the bench which kick-started the comeback win over Leicester City.
With Roberts almost certain to start at right-back, that will hand Farke a decision to make on Archie Gray. Either rest him, or play him in his favoured midfield position.
Farke should hand Gray midfield start
Gray has started in central midfield just once in all competitions since the beginning of October, which came in the 3-0 win at Peterborough United in the FA Cup third round.
The 17-year-old has been ‘superb’ at right-back in recent times, but his preferred and long-term position is central midfield, which is where he started the season.
Archie’s great uncle Eddie said this morning that he will get even better when he starts playing midfield again, and tonight represents the perfect opportunity to do so.
Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara have started eight of the last nine matches together in midfield, and a rest for one of them could be good ahead of a busy run.
Gray can be more easily rotated than either Gruev and Kamara with Roberts chomping at the bit in reserve at right-back, but it would also be really exciting to see him in midfield against Premier League opposition.
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