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Joe Mewis

Millwall omission surprises Leeds United fans as teams confirmed at The Den

Marcelo Bielsa has been forced into two changes for Leeds United's trip to Millwall as injuries continue to mount for his side, while fans have reacted to the omission of former Whites striker Matt Smith in the Millwall starting XI.

The Whites boss is unable to call upon skipper Liam Cooper, central midfield duo Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton, plus playmaker Pablo Hernandez.

That means Luke Ayling is handed his first start of the new campaign following his return from injury as he slots into right-back, to accommodate what will be a move to midfield for Stuart Dallas.

Gaetano Berardi is also drafted in and replaces Cooper at the back.

Kiko Casilla continues in goal with Ben White and Gjanni Alioski completing the back four alongside Ayling and Berardi.

Kalvin Phillips will take up his usual role in central midfield, where he will be joined by Dallas and Mateusz Klich.

Helder Costa continues to deputise for Hernandez out wide, with Jack Harrison again starting. Patrick Bamford will again lead the line.

Cooper limped off during the first half of Leeds' win over West Brom on Tuesday evening and has since been ruled out with a calf problem, while Shackleton will miss four weeks after he also went off injured in the win over the Baggies.

Forshaw and Hernandez remain sidelined with muscular and hip problems respectively.

Leeds go into the today's match knowing that a win will be enough to ensure that they spend the international break in the automatic promotion spots. Bielsa's side begin the weekend in second spot, a point off leaders Swansea City.

Caretaker Lions boss Adam Barrett has taken over at The Den following Neil Harris' exit this week and resisted the urge to include Smith in his side, a decision which has surprised many Whites fans.

Leeds United XI: Casilla, Ayling, White, Berardi, Alioski, Phillips, Dallas, Klich, Costa, Harrison, Bamford

Subs: Miazek, Douglas, Davis, Gotts, Clarke, Roberts, Nketiah

Millwall XI: Bialkowski, M. Wallace, Hutchinson, Cooper, J. Wallace, Thompson, Bradshaw, Ferguson, Romeo, Molumby, Leonard

Subs: Sandford, Pearce, Williams, Mahoney, O'Brien, Smith, Bodvarsson

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

Here's how Leeds fans reacted to today's team news from both sides, with plenty of love out there for Stuart Dallas...
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