Leeds United team news as Daniel Farke rolls the dice with line-up vs Southampton

Defeat in London has forced Daniel Farke into one change for Leeds United’s finale with Southampton at Elland Road today. The manager has gone with the same line-up that started so poorly at Queens Park Rangers, aside from Glen Kamara's replacement of Archie Gray in the engine room.

Kamara was one of the chief candidates for returning to today’s XI given how much he has played this season and the Finn comes off the bench as Archie Gray drops out of the line-up altogether. Connor Roberts returns on the bench having missed too much training to be considered for a start.

Patrick Bamford does not return to the squad despite Farke’s hope the striker might return to training before the end of the week. Ethan Ampadu continues in central defence and makes his 46th consecutive start in the league this season, continuing his 100-per-cent appearance streak until the end of the regular season.

READ MORE: Leeds United vs Southampton LIVE with confirmed team news as early absence follows through

Today’s referee against Southampton is Matthew Donohue and he is assisted by Paul Hodskinson, Richard Wild and Leigh Doughty (fourth official). The last time these two sides met in West Yorkshire was in February last year, when a Junior Firpo strike delivered Javi Gracia’s Whites a 1-0 win in what felt like a crucial three points from 2023’s relegation dogfight.

Leeds United: Illan Meslier; Sam Byram, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo; Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara; Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville; Joel Piroe.

Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Charlie Cresswell, Liam Cooper, Jaidon Anthony, Jamie Shackleton, Archie Gray, Joe Gelhardt, Connor Roberts, Mateo Joseph.