Daniel Farke’s Leeds United team selection will rely heavily on the fitness of Ilia Gruev for this afternoon’s trip to Coventry City.
The Whites will be looking to cement their position in the top two as the season approaches its final month, against a side also pushing for promotion themselves.
Willy Gnonto, Connor Roberts and Jamie Shackleton have all been ruled out this afternoon by Farke, but he was more cautiously optimistic over the potential of Gruev being fit.
Gruev has missed the last two matches after an ankle injury he picked up on international duty with Bulgaria, and his absence in front of the back four has been sorely felt by Leeds.
It remains to be seen whether he does make it or not and so here is out best attempt at a predicted XI ahead of today’s game.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier keeps his place in goal in what could be a busy afternoon for the Leeds ‘keeper up against some in-form Coventry attackers.
Defence
Farke very much learnt over Easter that Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu’s partnership simply cannot be broken up and so, of course, keep their place together at centre-back.
Sam Byram and Junior Firpo both started the same match for the first time in the Championship all season, and it certainly seems like the latter now has the nod at left-back.
Given Byram’s inability to sprint in the second half, he could potentially drop out despite his impressive performance against Hull City, with Archie Gray returning at right-back.
Midfield
With Gray moving into the back four again, that can only mean one thing and it is the fact Gruev is back fit and available. If he’s ready, there is no doubt he starts.
Glen Kamara looks likely to partner him, having played against the Tigers on Monday with a bout of illness.
Attack
With Gnonto still out, the front four practically picks itself again. Crysencio Summerville and Dan James start on the wing having both scored earlier this week.
Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford look set to line-up centrally despite the growing calls for Mateo Joseph to start, with Farke all but confirming as such in his press conference.
Predicted XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; James, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford