Leeds United line-up vs Coventry with Struijk and Firpo calls made and Tanaka claim

Risks should not be taken with Leeds United players in the seventh game of a 46-match season, especially when they have similar injuries in their past. Pascal Struijk may well take his last chance to be involved tomorrow in today’s training session, but he’s not someone I would take a chance on.

The Dutchman has been one of the most consistent performers for the Whites in the opening weeks of this season and missing one or two games is not an issue if it means he is fit to face Sunderland. Struijk missed half of last season because of an adductor injury. It is unclear if this week’s issue is in the same place, but, either way, it’s red flag.

Max Wober’s increasingly serious knee injury makes it harder to leave Struijk out, but we know Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon can put together one of the best defensive partnerships in this division. Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell are crying out for full league debuts too. The former appeals to me more based on the limited impact the latter has had in his cameos from the bench.

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Tanaka’s passing statistics may come from a limited sample size at the end of games, but they are eye-catching, as is his goal record in Germany. Ampadu’s move back would also allow Ilia Gruev to take up the role he so impressed in last season, as the holding midfielder.

It may be a touch hypocritical to protect Struijk, while starting Junior Firpo, but Daniel Farke’s prognosis seemed much more positive on the left-back. While the centre-back’s participation today is even in question, Firpo has already returned to training after a lay-off earlier this week.

Should the Dominican come through unscathed, he is important enough to keep in the team down that left flank. Sam Byram’s the obvious alternative, if necessary. The rest of the line-up just about picks itself after last weekend’s win and the other injuries.

There has been some debate about Mateo Joseph’s place, but, as Farke pointed out, his all-round contribution has been first-class this season. The goals are not flowing, but he is creating, pressing and battling with centre-backs for the team.

Beren’s XI: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Joseph.