Leeds United are preparing for the new Premier League season with virtually their entire squad available for selection, with just two players missing for Saturday’s fixture against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. All of the club’s summer signings will be eligible for selection, including Nico Elvedi, who trained with his new colleagues for the first time on Wednesday and could make his first appearance.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke will be unable to call upon Willy Gnonto due to a hamstring injury, while Gabriel Gudmundsson will also be unavailable for the opening match of the season.
Farke stated at his first pre-match press conference of the campaign that Gnonto would be absent because of his hamstring problem. He added that the club anticipates the player returning to full training shortly, but he will definitely sit out this encounter. Farke further noted that Gudmundsson would also be missing, meaning both players will be unavailable for the season opener, though all other squad members should be ready to play.
Leeds are expected to field an extensively changed starting eleven at the City Ground, with goalkeeper James Trafford and winger Harry Wilson set to begin the match, while Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic are also pushing for inclusion in Farke’s preferred lineup.
Farke commented on Elvedi’s signing by noting that Wednesday marked his initial appearance on the training ground with the group. He highlighted Elvedi’s impressive record, having spent 11 years at a single club, which he believes reflects well on his character. Farke described Elvedi as being regarded as a club legend at Gladbach, a major German institution. He expressed that the defender arrives with renewed energy and prepared for the task ahead, which aligns with what the club was seeking.