Head coach Jesse Marsch was without injured quintet Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw, Luis Sinisterra, Archie Gray and longer term absentee Stuart Dallas for Wednesday night’s Premier League hosting of West Ham United which produced a thrilling 2-2 draw. Bamford trained on Friday but Marsch said at Friday’s pre-match press conference that the striker was not predicted to be back to feature against Cardiff whilst Forshaw, Sinisterra, Gray and Dallas remain out.
Marsch also revealed on Friday that a bunch of players had “issues” that he was hopeful they would recover from, saying: “We have a lot of guys that we're hopeful that they can turn around but have a lot of little issues so I'm not going to give you full updates and we are hopeful that some of the questionable guys can turn around and be ready to go.”
The Whites boss was also asked about new signing Max Wober and gave a positive update about the Austrian defender, revealing: “Max, I think, has settled in really well. He had a good training session today. I think, again, he understands what I'm looking for out of him and out of our team and so we'll see how fit and how ready he is for this match but he will be in the mix."
Leeds are back in league action next Friday night at Aston Villa and the Whites have traditionally made a raft of changes in recent years for games in the EFL Cup and FA Cup in which the Elland Road outfit have an appalling recent record in.
Marsch, though, hinted at naming a strong side in his pre-match press conference, declaring: “I know the history of us losing 21 years ago at Cardiff and we expect that they'll be very spirited for this match so we want to put the best team we can on the pitch.” Marsch also revealed that chief executive Angus Kinnear had told him recently that “maybe we should focus on having a good FA Cup run.”
It’s likely to be something of a juggling act and this is the XI that we think will line up at Cardiff who sit fifth bottom in the Championship table having failed to win in their last seven league games which have yielded just four points.
1. GK - Joel Robles
It's tough even working out who will play in goal as there wouldn't appear to be much risk in playing clear first choice custodian Illan Meslier given that Leeds have another five days until the return to league action at Aston Villa. It would be no surprise to see Meslier between the sticks but Robles started the EFL Cup clash at Wolves in November and has looked pretty solid between so will perhaps get the nod. Kristoffer Klaesson is a live option too. Photo: David Rogers
2. RB - Rasmus Kristensen
Kristensen has been first choice right back since signing last summer but Luke Ayling has started the last two games in the position against Newcastle United and West Ham. But putting Kristensen back in looks a natural choice against Cardiff in the continued battle for the regular starting berth there. Cody Drameh is the other clear option - against his former loan side - but a place on the bench looks most likely having played 64 minutes for the under-23s on Friday night. Photo: Jan Kruger
3. CB - Diego Llorente
Llorente has had just 18 minutes in one outing off the bench since signing his new deal but Sunday's clash at Cardiff will probably present him with a start. It's just a case of who will partner him. Photo: Alex Pantling
4. CB - Pascal Struijk
There are continued calls for Struijk to be played in his natural centre-back position, despite his efforts in holding down the first choice left back berth of late. But Leeds have now signed another left back option in Max Wober and everything ought to be point to Struijk lining up in the heart of the defence to give both captain Liam Cooper and Robin Koch rests although Wober could play at centre back too. Photo: OLI SCARFF
5. LB - Max Wober
Marsch basically has the choice of either Struijk, Junior Firpo or new boy Wober at left back. Much depends on Wober's condition but the Whites boss said the Austrian defender had a good training session on Friday and if he's ready to roll then this looks an excellent opportunity to get a first glimpse of him in the left back role. Equally, there must be a strong chance of Firpo starting and Wober being handed a debut off the bench. Photo: George Wood
6. CDM - Marc Roca
If Marsch wants to go all out full strength then Tyler Adams will clearly start but it's probably safe to expect at least some stars being rested with Adams surely top of the tree in that respect. Either way, Roca looks certain to start in front of the back four. Photo: George Wood