Mateo Joseph in and Leeds United midfield decision made as diehard pick starting XI

Leeds United's Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph
Leeds United's Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph -Credit:PA


Mateo Joseph could make his long-awaited Leeds United start in tonight's must-win Championship game at Middlesbrough - if Whites fans have their way.

The young striker has been pushing for a place in Daniel Farke's starting XI for some weeks now, with Patrick Bamford out of form. Farke has preferred to go with experience but with Leeds scoring just once in their last three games, supporters have been keen to see Joseph handed a start.

He has started just two games all season - both in the FA Cup - but showed what he was capable of when scoring twice against Chelsea in the 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge in February. Bamford was dropped for Joel Piroe against Blackburn, but with Leeds needing to find a spark, fans have urged Farke to go for Joseph.

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Connor Roberts' absence means Farke will have to make at least one change, with fans opting to recall Glen Kamara to the midfield engine room alongside Ilia Gruev, with Archie Gray switching to right-back. He would line up with Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Junior Firpo in a strong backline.

Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville keep their places on the flanks, with Georginio Rutter in the No 10 role, pulling the strings. As always, we will be covering the game here on Leeds Live, with team news from Middlesbrough landing at 7pm on Monday night.

Leeds United fans XI vs Middlesbrough: Mesler; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara, Summerville, Gnonto; Rutter, Joseph.