Leeds United team news as Daniel Farke makes one change and sees surprise inclusion…………..

Daniel Farke has moved captain Liam Cooper back to the bench for Leeds United’s Sunday afternoon match at Elland Road against Preston North End. The Scotland international challenged Ilia Gruev, who was so good eight days before at Cardiff City, but Gruev prevailed, keeping his spot in the starting lineup.

Given the impact on Ethan Ampadu, it had been assumed that the Bulgarian and Cooper would square off for a spot in the starting lineup. The Wales international has been a constant for Farke and was forced to switch to center defense due to Cooper and Pascal Struijk’s injuries.

That gave Gruev a free pass. It seems like Farke was not in a rush to send Ampadu back to the engine room after being impressed with his most composed performance of the season last weekend.

Wilfried Gnonto’s exclusion from the matchday 20 is the only other change. This week, the Italian experienced a hip flexor problem, and Farke regarded him as seriously doubtful during Friday’s news conference. Despite the untimely passing of his mother this week, Jaidon Anthony is still a member of the team.

With this selection, Ampadu became the final United player to have started every single one of the Championship’s 28 games in a row, dating back to the first game against Cardiff. David Webb is the referee for today. Rob Smith, Matthew Smith, and Tom Nield (the fourth official) are his assistants.

Daniel James, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, Patrick Bamford, Illan Meslier, Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo, Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara.