Leeds United squad news as Daniel Farke forced into QPR changes for must-win clash

Daniel Farke has confirmed Leeds United’s line-up and bench for tonight’s clash with Queens Park Rangers and has made one change. There are two changes on the bench, however, with Daniel James and Patrick Bamford sitting 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 battling a bruised knee since the win at Middlesbrough, although he did travel. Joel Piroe is called into the line-up.

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

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

Charlie Crew and Charlie Cresswell also traveled with the team to the capital tonight and made the bench. Ethan Ampadu continues in central defense and makes his 45th consecutive league start this season, continuing his 100 per cent performance.

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 strike from Nakhi Wells earned Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites a 1-0 defeat after Kalvin Phillips had been 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.