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George Bennett

Patrick Bamford, Cody Drameh and other Leeds United players with a point to prove vs Cardiff

Leeds United play host to Cardiff City in an FA Cup third round replay at Elland Road on Wednesday evening. The Whites fought from two goals behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium in the original tie.

Rodrigo emerged from the bench to reduce the deficit before he was denied from the spot, after Joel Bagan handled Junior Firpo's strike on the goal line.

Sonny Perkins, another substitute unleashed during the second half by Jesse Marsch, scored his first senior goal to equalise for Leeds in the 93rd minute.

READ MORE: Leeds United player ratings as Struijk and Koch underline shaky defence in Aston Villa loss

Marsch played a mix of first-team regulars and fringe players in the Welsh capital, and LeedsLive have taken a look at which players have a point to prove in the replay...

Patrick Bamford

Bamford marked his return from injury with a consolation goal in Leeds' 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Friday evening.

The forward has been plagued by injuries for the last 18 months, and will face further competition following the signing of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim.

The 29-year-old had gone 13 months without a senior goal, and finally reached 100 career goals last weekend. However, with Rodrigo already on double figures, and Rutter set to come into the fold, Bamford must mark his return from injury in style.

Cody Drameh

Drameh returned from his successful loan spell at Cardiff last season looking to break into the first team at Leeds. But as of yet, Drameh has played just 70 minutes for the Whites in the Premier League this term.

The 20-year-old is currently behind Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen in the pecking order at right-back, and is linked with a loan move away from Elland Road.

He has even been starring for the under-21s due to his lack of first team opportunities, but was afforded a rare appearance against his former club at the Cardiff City Stadium.

During the second half, Drameh replaced Kristensen, after the Dane produced a disappointing display, and helped guide the Whites to a 2-2 draw after being two goals behind.

With Ayling's contract situation yet to be resolved, and Kristensen's struggles of late, Drameh could provide Marsch with a selection headache if he produces a strong performance.

After playing 90 minutes for the U21s on Monday evening, he may have to settle for another appearance off the bench, however.

Diego Llorente

Llorente started each of Leeds' opening six league games but has struggled to regain his place in Marsch's side since Liam Cooper's return from injury.

The Spain international has featured just twice for Leeds in the Premier League since the start of September. His only league start for the Whites in the last three months ended in a dismal 2-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in October.

The 29-year-old played the full 90 minutes of Leeds' 1-0 defeat at Wolves in the Carabao Cup third round in November. And he was restored to the starting XI as Leeds came from two goals behind to draw against Cardiff City in the Welsh capital earlier this month.

Despite struggling for playing time at Elland Road, Llorente was handed a new contract last month until the summer of 2026. With the arrival of Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg, the Spaniard will be determined to stake a claim for a starting place to avoid falling further down the pecking order.

Junior Firpo

Form and fitness has eluded Firpo since he joined Leeds from Spanish heavyweights FC Barcelona ahead of the 2021-22 season. He has failed to impress the Elland Road faithful, and missed the first six weeks of this season with a knee injury.

Pascal Struijk expertly filled the void at left-back, and has retained the position since Firpo's return to full fitness. Firpo has started just once for the Whites in the Premier League this term.

He was called upon from the bench in Friday's defeat at Aston Villa for the first time in the Premier League since the World Cup break. Firpo started the original tie against Cardiff, and registered an assist for the equaliser when he flick-on was converted by Sonny Perkins in the 93rd minute.

Firpo has been speculatively linked with a move away from Leeds this month, and will need to make an impression if he is to work his way back into Marsch's plans.

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