Leeds United team news as Daniel Farke is forced into changes at QPR for must-win clash

Daniel Farke has confirmed Leeds United’s line-up and bench for tonight’s clash with Queens Park Rangers and made one change. There are, though, two changes to the bench, with Daniel James and Patrick Bamford dropping out through injury.

After returning to winning ways on Monday night, there was always going to be a reluctance to change anything. Bamford is not fit to start after struggling with a bruised knee since the win at Middlesbrough, though he has travelled. Joel Piroe is called into the line-up.

Sam Byram is fit to start despite his injury record and the tight turnaround to the last game. Crucially, that means Archie Gray can continue in the engine room, where he impressed at the start of the week.

READ MORE: QPR vs Leeds United LIVE with early team news and build-up from Loftus Road

Charlie Crew and Charlie Cresswell travelled with the squad to the capital tonight too and make it onto the bench. Ethan Ampadu continues in central defence and makes his 45th consecutive start in the league this season, continuing his 100-per-cent appearance streak.

Today’s referee against QPR is Darren Bond and he is assisted by Ian Hussin, Wade Smith and Tom Nield (fourth official). The last time these two sides met in Shepherd’s Bush was in January 2020, when a Nakhi Wells strike delivered Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites a 1-0 loss as Kalvin Phillips was sent off.

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

Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Charlie Cresswell, Liam Cooper, Glen Kamara, Jaidon Anthony, Jamie Shackleton, Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph, Charlie Crew.