Head coach Jesse Marsch made seven changes to his side for the initial third round date at Cardiff in which Leeds needed a 93rd-minute equaliser from Sonny Perkins to salvage a 2-2 draw and Wednesday night’s Elland Road replay.
Marsch insisted both before and after the game that a number of the changes were forced due to fitness or injury issues and the Whites boss then made eight changes to his side for Friday night’s Premier League clash at Aston Villa in which Leeds fell to a 2-1 defeat.
But Marsch labelled the Villa Park display as his side’s most complete performance since his arrival and has since highlighted on the importance of building on that display in Wednesday night’s cup replay against Cardiff. Marsch held his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, at which he revealed that Crysencio Summerville, Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas and Archie Gray were all out injured and that captain Liam Cooper was doubtful with a knee injury.
But Marsch also revealed that Luis Sinisterra had a chance of featuring upon returning to training from a foot injury and also dropped some other selection hints. This is the XI that we think will now try again against Cardiff.
But Marsch labelled the Villa Park display as his side’s most complete performance since his arrival and has since highlighted on the importance of building on that display in Wednesday night’s cup replay against Cardiff. Marsch held his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, at which he revealed that Crysencio Summerville, Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas and Archie Gray were all out injured and that captain Liam Cooper was doubtful with a knee injury.
![With Forshaw and Gray injured, Sam Greenwood is the other main midfield option in addition to Wober who looked good in the role against Cardiff. But, on the assumption that Leeds line up with a 4-2-2-2, the Whites clearly look best with the Adams and Roca axis in front of the back four which may end up being present from the start against the Bluebirds in another signal of cup intent.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU0N2UxOWQ3LWNiYjMtNGVkYi04YTI3LWMzZjExMzUzNjZiMjpjZGM0ZDU0ZC0xZWJjLTQ1MmQtODUyOS01Y2JhZTg2MTVjZTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. CM - Marc Roca
With Forshaw and Gray injured, Sam Greenwood is the other main midfield option in addition to Wober who looked good in the role against Cardiff. But, on the assumption that Leeds line up with a 4-2-2-2, the Whites clearly look best with the Adams and Roca axis in front of the back four which may end up being present from the start against the Bluebirds in another signal of cup intent.Photo: George Wood
![Another big call with young Italian international forward Gnonto clearly already well on the way to becoming one of United's new stars at just 19 years of age and brilliant in Friday night's defeat at Villa. It might be that Marsch opts to rest Gnonto but he's clearly the sort of player that could have Cardiff in big trouble early on and that might be enough temptation to start him.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU2MzU1ZDUzLWJmNzQtNGZmNS1iZmZjLTU3YjBlYTdhYmVlZDowMDcxNmExZi1jZWUzLTRlZTctYjdmMC0xMzM3MzZmMzk4N2U=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. LW - Willy Gnonto
Another big call with young Italian international forward Gnonto clearly already well on the way to becoming one of United's new stars at just 19 years of age and brilliant in Friday night's defeat at Villa. It might be that Marsch opts to rest Gnonto but he's clearly the sort of player that could have Cardiff in big trouble early on and that might be enough temptation to start him.Photo: Stu Forster
![If Gnonto starts then it's probably a toss up between Harrison or Brenden Aaronson for the other spot out wide given that Summerville is injured and that Luis Sinisterra has only just returned to training, in addition to new signing Georginio Rutter is ineligible to face the Bluebirds although Sam Greenwood or Joe Gelhardt on one of the flanks is another option. Aaronson has struggled of late and starting Harrison would be the obvious call.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ0MjBmYzcyLWMyZGYtNDQwZC04MGY5LTUwZjM2MzRmZGFkMjpjZTVkNmQ3Zi0yOTZjLTQzNGItOGJhYi1hODgyZGUwNjk4ZWU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. RW - Jack Harrison
If Gnonto starts then it's probably a toss up between Harrison or Brenden Aaronson for the other spot out wide given that Summerville is injured and that Luis Sinisterra has only just returned to training, in addition to new signing Georginio Rutter is ineligible to face the Bluebirds although Sam Greenwood or Joe Gelhardt on one of the flanks is another option. Aaronson has struggled of late and starting Harrison would be the obvious call.Photo: George Wood
![There must be a decent chance of Gelhardt being sent out on loan given the huge array of attacking options now at Marsch's disposal but the cup replay at Cardiff would look to present an obvious chance for Joffy to shine from the start, perhaps in a deeper no 10 role.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk0ZjMyNzJmLTM3ZTktNDI3Ny05ZGM5LTI5Y2Y0MjdkMDhjZTpkN2QzNTZjZS1iOWE5LTQ0MjctYWJmZC04NDg0Zjc3NTk3ZTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. ACM - Joe Gelhardt
There must be a decent chance of Gelhardt being sent out on loan given the huge array of attacking options now at Marsch's disposal but the cup replay at Cardiff would look to present an obvious chance for Joffy to shine from the start, perhaps in a deeper no 10 role.Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
![Another major call but it sounded very much like Marsch was thinking that way in his pre-match press conference when asked if the fit again Bamford could start, insisting that Leeds would have to be careful on that front after his recent injuries and revealing that the aim was to get Rodrigo turned around to face Cardiff after his display at Villa which Marsch felt was one of the best he'd seen from any striker under his management. Big praise and a big call either way given the proximity to the Brentford game. If not Bamford then Gelhardt up tops is the other obvious option, perhaps with Aaronson at no 10 in behind.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE3Y2RkZWM4LTgxZDItNDAxMC1hNDYyLTc1YjE5ZDdmMGM0NTo4MzhmMTk3Zi05MWJiLTQ3MDctOTFiNS03NzU2MGQ5M2Q3YjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. ST - Rodrigo
Another major call but it sounded very much like Marsch was thinking that way in his pre-match press conference when asked if the fit again Bamford could start, insisting that Leeds would have to be careful on that front after his recent injuries and revealing that the aim was to get Rodrigo turned around to face Cardiff after his display at Villa which Marsch felt was one of the best he'd seen from any striker under his management. Big praise and a big call either way given the proximity to the Brentford game. If not Bamford then Gelhardt up tops is the other obvious option, perhaps with Aaronson at no 10 in behind.Photo: GEOFF CADDICK