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Joe Donnohue

Jesse Marsch keeps word on Patrick Bamford vow as Leeds United make one change vs Aston Villa

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch is expected to receive a warm welcome this evening, as he takes charge of the team for the first time at Elland Road.

Marsch's Leeds debut saw the side fall to a 1-0 defeat at Leicester City, however the team did appear more compact defensively.

Leeds named Patrick Bamford on the substitutes' bench for the first time since early December, however the England forward did not make his long-awaited return to the pitch.

Jesse Marsch did reveal during his pre-match press conference yesterday that Bamford would feature in some capacity this evening.

He is named on the bench once again, but is expected to play some minutes during the second half.

"Patrick will play for sure," Marsch said.

"Tomorrow, he won't start but he will be ready from the bench. And we're excited to have him back in the team. And I think he can give us a real boost."

Joe Gelhardt was the first substitution of the Jesse Marsch era, introduced on the hour mark at the King Power Stadium last weekend.

He is also restricted to a place on the bench tonight, but may well be called upon given Marsch's two-striker formation.

Daniel James has passed a late fitness test to be named in the starting XI alongside Rodrigo Moreno, who issued a rallying cry on his personal Instagram account earlier this week.

Marsch has also selected Jack Harrison who he urged to add some steel to his game during Wednesday's press briefing. He has asked the former New York City FC winger to amend the role he had become so familiar with under Marcelo Bielsa, now required to play more of an 'interior' function.

Adam Forshaw is recalled to the line-up in place of Mateusz Klich who drops to the bench in the only change from last weekend.

Here is the starting line-up and substitutions named by Jesse Marsch this evening.

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

Subs: Klaesson, Cresswell, Bamford, Llorente, Gelhardt, Summerville, Greenwood, Klich, Shackleton

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