Daniel Farke might make a few changes to his Leeds United line-up
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:00, 23 Oct 2025
Isaac Johnson
Isaac is the Leeds United reporter for LeedsLive. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, Isaac has interviewed many football icons during his career, including World Cup winners and Premier League champions. He has also sat down with a number of Olympic greats, such as Adam Peaty MBE and Dame Laura Kenny.
Daniel James has not started a game since August
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Daniel James has not started a game since August(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Many Leeds United fans have been baying for Daniel Farke to ring in the changes for Friday’s clash against West Ham United following the 2-0 defeat to Burnley.
Leeds looked abject in attack and paid the price for lapses in concentration at the weekend, meaning they now have just one point from three games. Farke says Friday’s game is no different to any other Premier League fixture but an adverse result will crank up the pressure on the German.
The manager gave away no hints about team selection in his pre-match press conference, although did give injury updates of Noah Okafor and Wilfried Gnonto. Both face late fitness calls, though Okafor (groin) has been branded more likely to feature than Gnonto (hernia operation).
Daniel James played half an hour against Burnley having made a quick recovery from an ankle injury. Farke has said he might take a risk with one or two players with question marks over them but no more.
On the balance of probabilities, it might be James that Farke takes the punt on. The attacking trio needs a change after a lacklustre showing at Turf Moor. Okafor could come off the bench if he makes the cut but it would not be a surprise to see Jack Harrison begin the match.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will retain the backing of his manager for a good while yet, despite only one goal in six Premier League matches. In midfield, there could be a change with Anton Stach coming out for Ao Tanaka.
Stach was at fault for Burnley’s first goal by losing track of goalscorer Lesley Ugochukwu amid a downward trajectory of form since his goal and assist against Wolves. Ethan Ampadu, despite illness, and Sean Longstaff are expected to start.
There is a question of when Jaka Bijol will get his Premier League debut. Pascal Struijk has also been ill this week, but it’s unclear whether that will have an influence over selection if he recovers.
An out of form West Ham team which had to play Lucas Paqueta as the striker against Brentford could be the chance to introduce him. But that is not to say Farke necessarily will. If Struijk is fit, he may still get the nod.
Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson are set to keep their place while Farke hinted last week that Lucas Perri needs time to get back up to full fitness, so Karl Darlow might well retain the gloves in goal.
Predicted XI: Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Tanaka, Ampadu, Longstaff; James, Calvert-Lewin, Harrison.
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