Leeds United are still waiting to hear whether next weekend’s clash against Manchester United will go ahead. The Whites have already seen Monday night’s game with Nottingham Forest postponed as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The state funeral has been confirmed for Monday, September 19, but with policing and other issues to contend with, the fixture at Old Trafford on September 18 is well and truly up in the air at this stage.
As such, with an international break scheduled for the end of the month, Leeds may have to wait until October 2 to take to the field once more, with the visit of Aston Villa scheduled. Marsch will see any extended break as an opportunity to get some work down on the club’s Thorp Arch training field and rest up his star names.
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However, there will be opportunities to give minutes to those players who need them over the coming weeks. Of course, the first-team may see their match against Man United called off, but Friday’s under-21s clash at Elland Road is expected to go ahead at this stage.
Michael Skubala’s side host their Southampton counterparts and Marsch could look to use the contest to hand senior names game time, should their trip across the Pennines be cancelled. Liam Cooper is one player who could be involved, for example, in a bid to sharpen up before making his full Premier League return.
The same could be said for Junior Firpo, who hasn’t seen a minute of first-team action since picking up an injury against Blackpool in pre-season. Luke Ayling made his first appearance since May last weekend at Brentford, appearing off the bench for the final 20 minutes of the contest.
However, he could be another to benefit from such a match going ahead, with an extended period of time on the field against the young Saints. Leo Hjelde has struggled for minutes this season and he could step into Skubala’s line-up, while Wilfried Gnonto may also make his first appearance for the Whites following his deadline day move from FC Zurich.
Gnonto hasn’t made a first-team appearance just yet, but Friday’s Premier League 2 Division 2 clash might provide the perfect platform for him to make his bow. It wouldn’t be the first time Leeds have dropped overage players into the under-21s this season either, with the likes of Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw featuring against Norwich City last month.
Of course, competition rules dictate that teams can only field a goalkeeper over the age limit and up to five over-age outfield players per game. However, the under-21s are due to be in action on Tuesday, September 20, too, as they get their Papa John’s Trophy campaign up and running.
Skubala will take his side to Crewe Alexandra for the first of three group stage games to be played over the next six weeks, with trips to Tranmere Rovers and Bolton Wanderers to come. Five over-age players are permitted to play in the competition and it does seem to be an option for Marsch if he was to try and give some members of the senior squad game time.
The under-21s are in action for a third time before October 2, with a Premier League 2 clash against Stoke scheduled for Friday, September 30, at York’s LNER Community Stadium. Although with a first-team game to be played that weekend, senior involvement looks unlikely.
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