Predicted Leeds United XI to face Rotherham… Five changes as key duo return, Connor Roberts call made

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Daniel Farke has a few big selection calls to make for Leeds United’s clash with Rotherham United this afternoon.

The Whites are set to have Connor Roberts available for the first time since his loan move from Burnley on deadline day, having missed the last two matches.

Leeds played 120 minutes away in treacherous conditions at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night and so Farke may have to be slightly careful with some of those who played the full game.

Dan James, Pascal Struijk and Karl Darlow also remain out of action, though Jamie Shackleton could be fit enough to return after illness.

Here is our predicted Leeds XI for the match.

Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier is someone who played 120 minutes but will once again start in goal this afternoon.

Defence

Farke will no doubt be tempted to hand Roberts his first start in white but the fact Archie Gray only came off the bench in the 71st minute is a big indicator that he will be back in from the start.

On the other side, Junior Firpo is one of those Leeds have to be careful with amid his injury problems this season and having played every minute on Tuesday, it could be a wise decision to rest him. Sam Byram starts.

In central defence, Ethan Ampadu is likely to comeback in for Liam Cooper after being rested for the first time all season. Joe Rodon, of course, is alongside him.

Midfield

With Gray and Ampadu both likely to line up in defence again, the midfield pairing almost picks itself.

Glen Kamara was impressive in the 71 minutes he got at Plymouth, but Ilia Gruev was Leeds’ stand-out player of the evening and deserves to start once again.

Attack

With James out, Willy Gnonto is likely to start on the right once again. Gnonto picked up a slight knock on Tuesday, but Farke did not mention anything in his presser, which is a big hint that he is fit.

The 20-year-old is actually the only player from the front three at Plymouth to keep his place, as Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford all return to start.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Byram; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford