Leeds United will be hopeful of including Joe Gelhardt in the squad to face Watford this afternoon. Gelhardt was taken off in the first half of the U23s’ 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday and only took part in his first training session of the week yesterday.
Manager Jesse Marsch had been looking to build on his match fitness by including him in the Young Whites’ clash with Palace, and if he is included in the squad, his early withdrawal makes it uncertain as to whether he will start. That means that Daniel James is likely to be the man tasked with leading the line again, though Sam Greenwood will also be pushing to start.
Another man hopeful of a return to the starting XI is Kalvin Phillips, who made his first appearance in four months from the bench against Southampton last week. Marsch faces a huge selection headache as to whether Mateusz Klich or Adam Forshaw is the man to make way, though.
After an excellent performance in his comeback game last weekend, Liam Cooper is set to start again. Who pairs him is another question, however, particularly given Marsch’s comments on Robin Koch in his pre-match press conference. He said his performances were worthy of more minutes in the side and Koch will therefore be looking to replace Diego Llorente.
Elsewhere, the side pretty much picks itself. Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo Moreno, Raphinha and Jack Harrison look near certainties to make the XI.
Full Leeds United squad: Meslier, Klaesson, Ayling, Llorente, Cresswell, Koch, Cooper, Struijk, Dallas, Phillips, Kenneh, Forshaw, Klich, Rodrigo, Raphinha, Summerville, James, Harrison, Gelhardt, Greenwood
