Two big changes… Daniel Farke’s strongest Leeds United XI after Whites dealt injury blows ahead of Preston

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Leeds United welcome Preston North End to Elland Road on Saturday as the Whites continue with their push towards the Championship title.

Leeds United go into the game against Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston in good stead after their 1-0 win at Middlesbrough in midweek.

The win ended a run of three-straight draws for the Whites whose recent form has been patchy to say the least, with just two wins in their last seven games now.

But Daniel Farke’s side returned to the top of the Championship table after their win at the Riverside, re-opening a two point gap to Sheffield United in 3rd whilst Burley in 2nd are level on points.

On Friday night, Burnley play Norwich City at Turf Moor whilst Sheffield United head to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday lunchtime, kicking off at the same time as Leeds at 12:30pm.

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Leeds United dealt Dan James and Pascal Struijk injury blows

Pascal Struijk and Dan James will miss the game against Preston. The pair have suffered injuries at possibly the worst time of the season and Struijk’s campaign is over altogether.

The Dutchman has sustained a foot injury and Farke has confirmed Struijk won’t play again this season, facing 10 weeks on the sidelines but thankfully avoiding the need to have surgery.

James meanwhile will miss at least the Preston game with a hamstring injury. Farke will also be without Joe Rothwell and Sam Chambers for the game at Elland Road.

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What is Leeds United’s strongest XI right now?

This latest bout of injury news throws up some conundrums for Farke, who already had one or two to deal with as it was, with one such problem being the form of Joel Piroe.

Piroe hasn’t scored in his last seven games for Leeds United. Against Middlesbrough, Patrick Bamford had a good cameo off the bench, having a goal disallowed, and Leeds United fans want Bamford to start over Piroe against Preston.

Then on the right we could see Wilfrid Gnonto given a start, leaving Brenden Aaronson in the 10 and Manor Solomon on the left, with Farke likely opting for the same midfield two of Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev, and the same backline too.

Here’s what we think is Farke’s strongest Leeds United XI right now, and the XI that we could see against Preston on Saturday…

Darlow (GK)

Firpo

Ampadu

Rodon

Bogle

Gruev

Tanaka

Solomon

Aaronson

Gnonto

Bamford