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George Smith

Early Birmingham City team news as former Chelsea youngster could be given debut

Leeds United will resume their Championship campaign on Saturday when they welcome Birmingham City to Elland Road for a contest which has been labeled as the Whites' centenary match.

Thursday, October 17, will mark 100 years since the birth of Leeds United and next Saturday's game with the Blues is the closest game Leeds will play to that specific date.

While the whole occasion is going to be a big one for United, the three points on offer will most likely be top of Marcelo Bielsa's priority list, with the Whites desperate to make a return to winning ways after last Saturday's defeat to Millwall at The Den.

Leeds will have to get past a spirited Birmingham team who will head into the contest in a confident mood after last Friday night's 2-1 success over Middlesbrough at St Andrew's.

Marcelo Bielsa will be looking to lead his side back to winning ways following the international break. (Rich Linley/CameraSport)

And the Blues could hand a debut to former Chelsea and Brentford midfielder Josh McEachran.

The 26-year-old, who was on trial with the Whites' Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, joined the Blues on a free transfer at the back end of last month after being without a club since the end of last season when he was let go by Brentford.

However, the Blues will have to make do without fellow central midfield man Maikel Kieftenbeld and speedy winger Jefferson Montero.

Kiftenbeld, who has been on Birmingham's books since 2015, is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury, which has resulted in him being sidelined since the Blues defeated Leeds back in April.

Montero, meanwhile, will also miss the trip to West Yorkshire with a thigh problem.

Jefferson Montero is stretched off the pitch during the Championship match between Birmingham City and Stoke City at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium on August 31, 2019 (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

On the positive front, though, Birmingham may be able to welcome back-up goalkeeper Connal Trueman back into the fold after suffering a minor training ground knock.

Visit our dedicated Leeds United page  for the latest news, views and analysis from Elland Road.

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