A return from injury with major calls

essential participant Leeds United returns from injuries versus Southampton with major calls and four players missing
In time for Saturday’s midday matchup against Southampton, for which Whites manager Daniel Farke has made some significant decisions with his team, a crucial Leeds United player returns from injury.

Patrick Bamford, the Whites’ number 9, is in the squad for the first time this season and makes the bench as manager Farke elects to stick with the same starting lineup despite Tottenham loanee center-back Joe Rodon being back available from suspension. The forward has yet to play this season after suffering a hamstring injury in July’s preseason friendly against Hearts, but the forward has recently returned to team training and was declared by Farke as a possible topic for the trip to St Mary’s.

Rodon missed the weekend’s 3-0 victory against Watford at home because he was serving a one-match suspension for getting sent off for receiving a second booking in the midweek draw at Hull City. Liam Cooper, the team’s captain, replaced the Tottenham loanee in the lineup. He made his first start following his recovery from a ruptured plantar fascia in the team’s opening weekend tie against Cardiff City.

Cooper and Pascal Struijk, who played together at centre back against the Hornets, are still the defensive backbones of the team while Rodon is a sub. In addition, Jamie Shackleton holds his spot at right back while Luke Ayling continues to sit on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Glen Kamara makes his second start in midfield with Ethan Ampadu while Archie Grey continues to be a substitute.

Mateo Joseph is replaced by Bamford on the bench, while Charlie Cresswell is replaced by Rodon because neither player is involved.

Stuart Dallas, Willy Gnonto, Junior Firpo, and Djed Spence are still absent. Dallas has resumed training after a protracted recovery from a femoral fracture, but is not yet involved, and Firpo experienced hip issues after  recovering from torn lateral ligaments in his knee.

Saints boss Russell Martin has made four changes to his Southampton side as Che Adams, Ryan Fraser, Shea Charles and Mason Holgate all drop to the bench. Kamaldeen Sulemana, Stuart Armstrong, Carlos Alcaraz and Ryan Manning all come into the side.