Why Leeds United were without five players vs Wrexham, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin | OneFootball

Leeds United lost 3-2 to Wrexham in Florida in their first pre-season outing, with five absentees including Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

According to a post on X, Calvert-Lewin had a small setback and is training individually, Jaka Bijol has a knee knock, Sebastiaan Bornauw had a minor issue and was not risked, Ilia Gruev is rehabilitating a knee injury, and Tanaka and Gabriel Gudmundsson returned late from the World Cup. Noah Okafor has not travelled with the squad to America after his World Cup exploits.

Daniel Farke’s first XI of the summer featured the surprise selections of Callum Mills, Jayden Lienou and Alfie Cresswell against the Championship side. With Wrexham on their third pre-season fixture, Leeds’ lack of sharpness showed.

Sean Longstaff was Leeds’ standout, scoring and assisting, while Joel Piroe atoned for a missed penalty with a neat near post finish. Leeds scored twice against a team that forced Man United to draw a blank, and they might have had four after Jayden Bogle’s late chance.

Lucas Perri featured after the break amid an imminent move to Torino, and Harry Wilson impressed in the second half. Despite his goal, Piroe did little to bolster his case to remain.

Sunderland are next in the early hours of Friday morning in New Jersey, a meeting with their 2025-26 promoted rivals. Leeds then face Liverpool in Illinois, return to these shores for Man United in Ireland, host RB Leipzig at Elland Road, then open the season against Forest.

Source: Leedsunited.news