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Kieran King

Potential Leeds United squad as Masters Football returns with fan favourites and cult heroes

There has been plenty of excitement on social media after it was confirmed that Masters Football will return to screens in the summer.

After 11 years away, the much-loved tournament is going to be back bigger and better than ever this year, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Rangers and Celtic all expected to feature.

The programme was a firm fixture on Sky Sports for a number of years, but it will now be aired on sports documentary streaming site 360 Sports Television instead.

Leeds United could be amongst those to be involved in the tournament and supporters are looking forward to the re-start of the event, which is set to take place in July.

In the most recent meeting of Masters Football, the Whites actually reached the final after beating Manchester United in the knockout stages, before losing out 8-3 to Rangers.

Darren Huckerby, Kevin Sharp, Paul Butler and Mark Tinkler were part of that team, but who could possibly play for the Whites if they are involved?

Leeds Live's suggested super side features players who has featured in Champions League semi-finals and made over 1000 appearances for the club combined.

41-cap former England international Paul Robinson would line-up in goal given his experience and how many Premier League matches he played in during his career.

Robinson, a product of the Leeds academy, made 119 appearances for the club, winning the Player of the Season once, before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2004.

The defensive duo would be fellow ex-England stars Danny Mills, 44, and David Batty, 53.

The pair were imperial for the Whites in the Premier League during the late 1990s and early 2000s and could still do an excellent job in a small-sided game.

Although Mills' career was ended due to a serious knee injury, his expertise in the game might give Leeds an edge at the back, while Batty is the Whites' 19th highest-ever appearance maker (373).

David Batty in action for Leeds United in 1999. (Getty Images)

In midfield, Oliver Dacourt, 47, would be an astute name on the teamsheet considering what he achieved at Leeds - helping the club reach the Champions League semi-final.

Dacourt and Batty formed a special partnership for the Whites in 2002/03 and there wouldn't be a better way of reuniting them by including both in Leeds' possible Masters side. And yes, the famously reclusive Batty would be a tough get, but we can all dream, eh?

Alan Smith, 41, would be the second midfielder and perfect to lead the engine room given his tender age and the fight he could bring to the team.

Despite joining arch rivals Manchester United in 2004, Smith scored a number of important goals for the Whites and might still have the energy to play at the level, having only retired in 2018.

Watching Tony Yeboah in a Leeds shirt once again would be nothing short of spectacular and it's something that could hand them the edge.

Scorer of one of the great Premier League goals, the 55-year-old still has it in him to be able to play in his tournament and would form a dangerous front line with Smith.

On the bench, Jermaine Beckford isn't a bad option to call upon when you need a goal is it? The 38-year-old forward netted 85 times in 152 games for the Whites.

The second substitute in the eight-man squad would be defensive midfielder Shaun Derry, who had a three-year stint at Leeds and also played for the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace.

The Leeds starting six: Robinson, Mills, Batty, Dacourt, Smith, Yeboah

How would your Leeds Masters side look? Let us know in the comments below

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