Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Joe Donnohue

Leeds United team news sees Patrick Bamford left out as new defensive absence felt

Leeds United visit the London Stadium for the second time in two weeks this afternoon, prepared to take on West Ham United once more.

The Whites were defeated at this ground seven days ago, bowing out of the FA Cup at the Third Round stage for the fourth consecutive season.

Leeds United were without a host of key names last Sunday, largely through injury, however Marcelo Bielsa welcomes two first-team players back into the fold with Pascal Struijk and Rodrigo Moreno named in the travelling squad.

Argentine coach Bielsa had hinted at a possible return for the injured duo in his pre-match press conference on Friday, while also stating Patrick Bamford was 'finalising his recovery' this weekend.

Despite stating he could be an option, the England centre-forward has not travelled to the London Stadium today.

Leo Hjelde and Lewis Bate made their Leeds United debuts last weekend, and are involved with the squad once again, but are only named on the substitutes' bench this afternoon.

Junior Firpo was hauled off with a suspected concussion at this stadium seven days ago, complaining of dizziness to the Leeds United physios having collided with Illan Meslier.

During the week he confirmed he would be available for selection after concussion protocols had been followed. He starts in today's 2pm kick-off.

Spanish defender Diego Llorente misses out through suspension this weekend having picked up five yellow cards in Leeds' opening 19 league matches this season. He will be expected to return next week for Newcastle United's visit to Elland Road.

The Whites have been hit particularly hard with injuries to the defence this season, and Llorente's absence today will no doubt be one the manager hopes the XI he has selected are able to mitigate.

Here is the squad named by Marcelo Bielsa today.

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Struijk, Koch, Firpo, Forshaw, Klich, Dallas, Raphinha, Harrison, James

Subs: Klaesson, Hjelde, Moore, Kenneh, Gray, Bate, McKinstry, Jenkins, Rodrigo

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.