The 10-goal Leeds United striker was a surprise absence in the matchday squad at Stamford Bridge.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is missing from the Leeds United squad at Chelsea through illness.
That is not the case, however, with Calvert-Lewin missing out entirely. The 29-year-old has been replaced by Lukas Nmecha in the starting line-up for his seventh Premier League start of the season, with on-loan Brighton man Facundo Buonanotte back on the bench.
The YEP understands Calvert-Lewin’s absence is as a result of that minor illness and not injury-related. Leeds later confirmed the news via a post on X, writing: “Nmecha replaces DCL (Illness) up top”.
Calvert-Lewin will have plenty of time to rest up before Leeds’ next Premier League game, which it at Aston Villa on Saturday February 21 - 11 days away. The Whites are in FA Cup fourth round action at Birmingham City this weekend but rotation is expected, and has been ever since the draw was confirmed last month.
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There was a collective scratching of the head among Leeds fans when the teams came out at 6.15pm, with six defenders named in the starting-XI. Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw both came back into the team, replacing the injured Pascal Struijk and Noah Okafor.
It remains to be seen how Leeds will line up come kick-off, but one possibility is that the ever-versatile James Justin moves out to right wing-back with Jayden Bogle moving further forward. Farke could also opt to play a natural defender in deep-lying midfield.
With six defenders starting and just Sam Byram on the bench, Leeds have plenty of attacking options to bring on should they be chasing goals. Alongside the returning Buonanotte and benched Okafor, Farke can also call on the likes of Willy Gnonto, Dan James and Joel Piroe.
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