Predicted Leeds XI to face Burnley after latest Daniel Farke injury update as two new signing push to start

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Leeds United will again be without Dan James for this afternoon’s return to Championship action against Burnley.

James is said to have suffered a recurrence of the hamstring issue he picked up ahead of the win over Hull City, and will now be out until after the next international break.

It has not been an easy week of preparation for Daniel Farke, with many members of his squad having been away on international duty over the last two weeks.

Friday could well have been the first day all week he had a full complement of players at Thorp Arch, and so it will be interesting to see whether there is any rotation to his side.

Here is our new predicted XI after Farke’s press conference on Thursday.

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Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier is one of a handful of players who was still in Leeds over the break and of course starts in goal.

Defence

Isaac Schmidt is available for the first time since his move to Leeds but based on Farke’s comments, he will not be thrown straight into the XI.

Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo have started all four league matches at full-back this season and that will continue providing there are no late fitness issues.

Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk will make up the remainder of the defence as Leeds look to make it four Championship clean sheets in a row.

Midfield

Farke spoke very openly about his love for new signing Ao Tanaka on Thursday and he will be desperate to start after getting a first taste of action against Hull City.

However, he has done a lot of travelling with Japan over the last two weeks and may have to settle for a place on the bench again.

That means Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu will continue as the midfield pairing again. Gruev’s second match for Bulgaria was on Sunday and so has had a full week in Leeds to prepare.

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Attack

As mentioned, James will be absent for Leeds once again and after Brenden Aaronson’s very late return from USA duty, a chance in attack feels a distinct possibility.

Wilfried Gnonto shone in a central role for Italy U21s in the week and could well take up a similar position for Leeds, with Largie Ramazani getting his first start.

Manor Solomon and Mateo Joseph, both of whom have been away with their respective countries, make up the rest of the front four.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Gruev; Ramazani, Gnonto, Solomon; Joseph