The injuries that Leeds United’s players sustained over the international break have forced Daniel Farke to make changes. Junior Firpo has been forced to sit out due to travel, while Ilia Gruev and Wilfried Gnonto withdraw due to injuries.
The problem Connor Roberts picked up with Wales on Tuesday night has also caused him to miss the break. The right-back is completely removed from the team, leaving Sam Byram, Liam Cooper, and Daniel James to fill the void.
Another new member of the team is Charlie Crew. After making an impression during training and with the under-21s, Farke has selected the 17-year-old for the first time in a senior team and placed him on the bench.
Archie Gray is expected to stick at right back, even if the defense has broken down Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon. The skipper will likely take the pitch in the backline while the former is expected to pair Glen Kamara in midfield.
In Firpo’s absence, Byram should start at left-back, while James will probably start on the right, where Gnonto started against Millwall. Thankfully, Georginio Rutter recovered from his hernia operation in time for tonight’s Vicarage Road show.
David Webb will officiate today’s match versus Watford. Rob Smith, Bhupinder Singh Gill, and Ben Toner (fourth official) will help Webb. When these two teams last faced up in Hertfordshire in April 2022, they were battling it out for Premier League survival, and United emerged victorious, winning 3-0.
Leeds United: Illan Meslier; Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Liam Cooper, Sam Byram; Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara; Daniel James, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville; Patrick Bamford.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Junior Firpo, Charlie Cresswell, Joel Piroe, Jaidon Anthony, Jamie Shackleton, Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph, Charlie Crew.
