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Joe Donnohue

Leeds United team news confirmed as Jesse Marsch takes Patrick Bamford gamble

Head coach Jesse Marsch has taken charge of Leeds United twice since his installation as Marcelo Bielsa's replacement.

The Whites are yet to score under Marsch's stewardship, having fallen to defeat against Leicester City and Aston Villa.

Patrick Bamford made a return from the bench in Thursday's loss to Aston Villa, after which Marsch was asked in his post-match press conference whether the England striker would be available from the start this afternoon.

"I would say he's looked great this week, really well. And that we could be optimistic, but we also have to be intelligent and find a way to get to the core of what the right decisions are," the American coach said.

This afternoon, Marsch has been allured by the temptation of thrusting Bamford in from the beginning.

The England striker makes the starting XI.

"I think we all know how important the game is on Sunday," Marsch said.

"We have to also be very calculated and we have to look at and observe how he is tomorrow and Saturday and then make a very educated decision."

This afternoon will be Bamford's first start for Leeds United in almost six months.

Junior Firpo is ruled out this afternoon following his withdrawal on a stretcher in midweek, while Tyler Roberts remains out for the season after hamstring surgery.

Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are still a couple of weeks away from being named in a matchday squad.

Neither has featured since the 2-2 draw with Brentford at Elland Road on December 5, 2021.

Kalvin Phillips remains out (Leeds United)

Diego Llorente returns to the starting line-up after sitting out the Villa defeat on Thursday evening.

Leeds United and Norwich City have failed to claim a single point in each of their last five Premier League games, meaning something has to give this afternoon.

Elland Road is awash with a stomach of butterflies; victory would take Leeds five points clear of Burnley in 18th, providing much-needed breathing room from the relegation zone.

Kick-off is at 2pm.

Here is the Leeds United starting XI and substitutes to face the Canaries.

XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Forshaw, Klich, James, Raphinha; Bamford, Rodrigo

Subs: Klaesson, Cresswell, Greenwood, Gelhardt, Summerville, Shackleton, Harrison, Bate, Koch

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