Saturday 10th February 3:00pm | Elland Road
They say that the Championship is the most difficult league in the World to get out of, but Leeds opponents on Saturday are making it look easy! Rotherham Utd make the 30 mile dash up the M1 to Elland Road, hoping to inflict the kind of damage only a Yorkshire derby can serve up. Despite the 41 point difference (and 21 places), all the pressure will be on Daniel Farke as his side search for their sixth straight league victory of 2024; not to mention keep their unbeaten home record intact!
Although Archie Gray's midweek cameo role turned into a 50 minute slog, he will return to right-back duties with new signing Connor Roberts making do with a place on the bench. Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Ethan Ampadu all start, after being rested in the Cup.
Pascal Struijk is still two or three weeks away from a return to action. The 24 year old is responding well to treatment, and has been training on his own this week, as he overcomes the groin strain he picked up on Boxing Day at Preston. Ampadu has shown he is more than capable at centre-back alongside Joe Rodon meaning Liam Cooper drops to the bench. Patrick Bamford has been preferred to Joel Piroe to spearhead the team. Ilia Gruev will continue to partner Glen Kamara in midfield, with Wilfred Gnonto continuing to deputise for the injured Dan James.
With three goals, and two assists in January, the Welsh speedster has been nominated for Sky Bet Championship player of the month but could have a fight on his hands getting back into the side if Wilfred Gnonto's continues to impress in his absence. The Italian International has netted in his last two games, and starting to regain his form.
