Leeds United will be stepping onto the field without Ilia Gruev for their encounter with Huddersfield Town this Saturday (2 March), as reported by Leeds Live.
Despite missing the recent FA Cup defeat at Chelsea, there was a glimmer of hope from Daniel Farke that Gruev could return in time for the Huddersfield match. However, on the eve of the game, Leeds Live confirmed that Gruev is not included in the team lineup for the visit to John Smith’s Stadium.
The squad will see Georginio Rutter making the 21-man list, with Joe Gelhardt potentially making an appearance in the highly anticipated West Yorkshire derby.
Jamie Shackleton will be absent due to sickness, and Pascal Struijk is also sidelined.
Despite these absences, Leeds United’s starting lineup remains formidable
Losing Gruev is a setback, considering his significant contributions since joining the lineup. Yet, Farke is not short on options. The team could see Archie Gray stepping into the midfield alongside Glen Kamara, or Ethan Ampadu might fill in, showcasing the flexibility and depth Leeds has in both midfield and defense.
This depth underscores the strong bench strength Leeds possesses across the board.
Having Rutter back in the mix is particularly encouraging for Farke, especially after missing his presence in the match at Stamford Bridge.
With the early kickoff against Huddersfield, Leeds is tipped as the favorites, a status they’ve proven capable of living up to time and again.
Regardless of the lineup Farke decides on, there’s confidence that the selected XI will deliver a strong performance at John Smith’s Stadium, keeping Leeds’ hopes for automatic promotion very much alive.
