Daniel Farke’s side recorded their first Championship victory of the new campaign through last weekend’s 4-3 win at Ipswich Town in which new signing Joel Piroe scored on his debut in addition to returning pair Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra who also netted.
Farke then made six changes to his side for Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup tie at Salford City for which Piroe was cup-tied. After a 1-1 draw, Leeds were ultimately knocked out on penalties.
The Whites then announced the following day that they had completed a deal to sign 23-year-old right back Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur on a season long-loan. Spence became the club’s sixth signing of a busy summer and his arrival was quickly followed by another in the shape of Bulgarian international midfielder Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen the following day.
Gruev, 23, has joined the club on a four-year deal for a fee of around £5m and Leeds are now expected to add another midfielder to their ranks in Glen Kamara from Rangers.
The summer transfer window will finally close at 11pm on Friday night, after which Leeds will return to action on Saturday afternoon with an Elland Road showdown against the Owls. Wednesday have endured a miserable start to life back in the country’s second tier, sitting on zero points from four games.
Leeds would take themselves up to eight points from a possible 15 with a victory and this is the XI that we think will take to the field for the 3pm Yorkshire derby at LS11.
1. GK - Illan Meslier
Karl Darlow replaced Meslier for Tuesday night's cup clash at Salford but Meslier has re-established himself as clear first choice custodian upon Daniel Farke's arrival at the club. The first of four changes, in for Darlow between the sticks. Photo: Jess Hornby
2. RB - Luke Ayling
Ayling was given the night off at Salford and new signing Djed Spence should be ready to roll but Ayling has been ever-present in Farke's league side so far and is wearing the captain's arm-band at present in the absence of injured skipper Liam Cooper. All things considered, with Spence having only joined on Tuesday, it would probably be a surprise at present if Ayling came out of the team and Spence might be forced to wait. The second change, but in for Leo Hjelde and not Jamie Shackleton who may be deployed elsewhere. Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
3. CB - Joe Rodon
Like Ayling, Rodon was given the night off at Salford where he was an unused substitute but the Wales international Tottenham loanee looks sure to come back into the side against the Owls, probably in place of Charlie Cresswell who was given a start in Tuesday's cup tie. The third change, in for Cresswell. Photo: George Wood
4. CB - Pascal Struijk
Struijk wore the captain's arm-band in the absence of both Cooper and Ayling at Salford and scored the equaliser for his second goal of a decent start to the new campaign. Struijk looks slightly ahead of Cresswell in the pecking order at the present and will likely partner Rodon at centre-back against the Owls. Photo: Danny Lawson
5. LB - Jamie Shackleton
Leo Hjelde was given another go at left back at Salford but it's been a struggle for him in that position and Shackleton moving over from right back to left back looks likely against the Owls given that Sam Byram, Junior Firpo and another option in longer-term absentee Stuart Dallas are still all out injured. However, an appearance for Spence at left back would not be the greatest surprise if it means getting him in the team. Photo: George Wood
6. CM - Ethan Ampadu
No rest for the wicked. Ampadu was again called for on Tuesday evening and played the duration of the contest to maintain his record of playing every minute of every league and cup game since his arrival at Elland Road. Leeds now have another centre midfield option in Ilia Gruev and another is on the way in Glen Kamara but Ampadu has looked solid in the middle of the mark since arriving and seems a sure starter. But who partners him? but it seems unlikely that Amapdu will be coming out of the side even if and when both get up and running. Photo: George Wood