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Joe Mewis

Marcelo Bielsa's confirmed Leeds United starting XI to face Burnley

Marcelo Bielsa has recalled Pascal Struijk to his Leeds United starting XI to replace the injured Liam Cooper.

The Whites head coach has made just one change to the side that lost to Manchester United last weekend, with his skipper Cooper missing out after suffering an abdominal injury during the second half of the defeat at Old Trafford.

The young Dutchman has got the nod to replace Cooper, with Diego Llorente absent from the matchday squad despite his return to training this week.

Ever-present Illan Meslier continues between the sticks with Leeds likely to utilise a back-three of Luke Ayling, Kalvin Phillips and Struijk, given Burnely are set to play with two strikers in Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.

Mateusz Klich is set to play in a deeper midfield role, with Stuart Dallas and Gjanni Alioski operating as wing-backs in a 3-3-1-3 formation.

Rodrigo will operate behind the forward line, with Jack Harrison and Raphinha providing the width for striker Patrick Bamford,

Llorente's absence means the Whites are without their three first-choice centre-backs and comes after the Spain international returned to training on Monday. In his Christmas Eve press conference Bielsa confirmed Llorente was 'in conditions to play again' after missing the last three matches with an injury following his Leeds debut in the defeat at Chelsea.

Jack Jenkins makes his second appearance in a Leeds matchday squad, filling the slot created by Cooper's absence.

Burnely are without any recognised wingers in their side today, with Dwight McNeil and Robbie Brady both out injured.

Leeds begin the day sitting 15th in the table, one place and four points ahead of Sean Dyche's side, but a win today could see them end the day in 11th place.

Leeds United: Meslier, Alioski, Ayling, Struijk, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison, Bamford

Subs: Casilla, Jenkins, Casey, Davis, Shackleton, Costa, Roberts, Hernandez, Poveda

Burnley: Pope, Lowton. Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Pieters, Westwood, Brownhill, Benson, Barnes, Wood

Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Norris, Dunne, Long, Bardsley, Mancini, Stephens, Mumbongo, Rodriguez

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