Confident injury news was thin on the ground when Rene Maric chaired the latest Leeds United press conference last week. After the win over Real Sociedad, the assistant head coach only really hung his hat on Diego Llorente being back for Manchester City next week.
Maric was hopeful the vast majority of those absent from the friendly would ultimately be available for the Premier League return, but a list of available players for Monaco is difficult to judge. There have only been four days between the matches.
Illan Meslier was well enough to attend Friday’s match, but it still feels a stretch to expect him to play in a dead rubber while he is trying to fight off glandular fever. Given Kristoffer Klaesson got the second half last week, there may be a temptation to let him have at least the first half on Wednesday night.
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Rasmus Kristensen looks nailed on to play right-back after only 45 minutes on Friday following his return from the World Cup. Llorente was spotted in full training before Sociedad, so he could do with some action while Luke Ayling may get a rest after playing all 180 friendly minutes this month.
Liam Cooper was withdrawn at half-time on Friday, so should be good to go again with the armband. The groin injury which delayed Junior Firpo’s arrival at the Spain training camp was described as minor, but his continued absence on Friday was a concern.
The number three desperately needs minutes at left-back, but if he still isn’t ready then Pascal Struijk could continue, despite playing every minute of the last two matches. Adam Forshaw does seem like the Tyler Adams replacement for City, so Marsch needs to sharpen him up after two rusty outings in the middle.
Keeping him alongside Marc Roca seems sensible if that’s the pairing for the competitive stuff next week, though Maric intimated players with fewer minutes like Darko Gyabi could be trusted to top up their pitch time tomorrow night. Like Kristensen, Brenden Aaronson will continue after a half last week.
If Jack Harrison’s withdrawal on Friday was as precautionary as suggested, he will surely get the start he missed out on. If Crysencio Summerville remains banged up, Sonny Perkins needs minutes, otherwise Wilfried Gnonto seems likely to be on the flank.
Patrick Bamford looks a long shot, so Rodrigo will have to lead the line again unless the youngsters like Mateo Joseph really are used like senior options.
Predicted line-up: Klaesson; Kristensen, Llorente, Cooper, Struijk; Forshaw, Roca; Gnonto, Aaronson, Harrison; Rodrigo.
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