Skubala and his caretaker management team had nine players out for last weekend’s hosting of Manchester United for which Liam Cooper, Marc Roca, Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk joined Rodrigo, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray and Sonny Perkins on the sidelines. But Skubala will be boosted by the return of at least two of those absentees for Saturday’s Premier League showdown against the Toffees at Goodison Park.
Speaking at Thursday afternoon’s pre-match press conference, Skubala revealed that Struijk was back after concussion and that young forward Perkins was also back on the grass after a recent ankle injury.
Skubala added that the longer-term absentees remained out but that both Cooper and Roca were “touch and go” following recent knocks. Sinisterra, he said, was also close but a little bit further behind Cooper and Roca. Following the latest Whites team news, this is the Leeds XI that we think will step out at Goodison Park.
1. GK - Illan Meslier
Skubala has some big calls to make but not in goal were the Iceman is first choice stopper by a distance. Photo: Stu Forster
2. RB - Luke Ayling
No debate needed at right back either despite the presence of Rasmus Kristensen waiting for his next chance. Ayling produced two excellent displays against Manchester United and the only imponderable against Everton will be whether or not he wears the captain's arm-band which would depend on whether Cooper makes it. A player who is absolutely thriving and now contracted at Leeds until the summer of 2024 upon the extension of his deal. Photo: Michael Regan
3. CB - Robin Koch
Skubala said Leeds would not take any risks with Cooper or Roca and there is no need to given the other options available and, at the back, the current partnership at the heart of the defence. Photo: Gareth Copley
4. CB - Max Wober
Impressive January addition Wober could have switched to left back following the loss of Struijk for Sunday's Manchester United rematch. But keeping the Austrian at centre-back where he has looked so assured looked the right call and everything points towards the axis of Koch and Wober once more with perhaps a bench return for Cooper if he is fit. Photo: Stu Forster
5. LB - Pascal Struijk
A real head-scratcher. Struijk, who is clearly a natural centre-half, has held down the left back spot of late but natural left back Junior Firpo has looked in decent nick of late and bagged a first league start since October in last weekend's clash against the Red Devils with Struijk out through concussion protocols. It will be fascinating to see how Skubala sees it with both now fit. Struijk, possibly, just. But a very close call and it's easy to argue that Firpo should now be given a run in the side. Photo: Michael Steele
6. CM - Tyler Adams
Skubala admitted at Thursday's pre-match presser that the midfield battle against an extremely physical Everton side would be key. Leeds should be quite all right in that department with no nonsense Adams about and his American mate. Photo: OLI SCARFF