Leeds United fixture change confirmed as clash reveals likely squad decision and defender availability

Leeds United’s Under-21s face West Bromwich Albion this weekend, while the senior team faces Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Leeds are in the north-east on Friday evening, looking to defeat new manager Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats.

Sunderland has started the season strong, despite having one of the youngest and most inexperienced squads in the division. They now sit second in the table ahead of this week’s midweek fixtures.

The squad has already been beaten 3-2 by Plymouth Argyle and 2-1 by Watford this month, but they have had a great start, winning five of their first seven games, and have yet to taste defeat at home before Leeds’ arrival.

That game is set to begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, when Leeds’ youthful players will also face the Baggies’ U21s at York City’s LNER Stadium.

The U21s game has been moved from Monday, October 7, to 7pm on Friday, October 4, and it is likely that young central defender James Debayo will remain with Daniel Farke’s first-team squad due to Ethan Ampadu’s injury, Max Wober’s absence, and Pascal Struijk’s recent adductor issue.

Debayo is unlikely to start at Carrow Road tomorrow night or at the Stadium of Light three days later, but will provide defensive support from the bench.

Given Ampadu’s knee injury and the requirement for a second central midfielder on the bench in his absence, young midfielder Charlie Crew may also be required on standby, making him ineligible to the 21s. Ao Tanaka is anticipated to start in the Welshman’s place alongside Ilia Gruev, leaving Joe Rothwell as the club’s first-choice in the middle of the park, with Crew serving as a backup.

The fully-capped Wales international kid, like Debayo, is yet to make his Leeds debut, but is anticipated to do so in the coming weeks and months.