Daniel Farke names strong Leeds United XI at Bournemouth as James returns but Gruev sidelined | OneFootball

Daniel Farke names a strong Leeds United XI at Bournemouth, with Dan James back on the bench, but Ilia Gruev is out injured. The Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium comes four days before Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Farke had said the focus remained on tonight and that he would pick his best available side. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, he has kept faith with the team that beat Wolves 3-0 on Saturday.

James has recovered from an adductor strain and returns to the squad, though Farke cautioned he now needs sessions after a disrupted last year. Bulgaria international Gruev has suffered a meniscus knee injury in training and requires further assessment. Anton Stach stays out with an ankle problem, and Farke hopes it is days rather than weeks before he is back.

Joe Rodon, who made a surprisingly early return as a late substitute against Wolves with no issues reported, is among the substitutes. James Justin, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk start as a three-man centre-back unit.

Andoni Iraola makes one change for Bournemouth, David Brooks replaces Rayan, who drops to the bench. Bournemouth: Petrovic, Alejandro Jiménez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Christie, Scott, Brooks, Kroupi, Tavernier, Evanilson. Subs: Mandas, Gannon-Doak, Adams, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Enes Unal, Toth, Rayan.

Leeds United: Darlow, Bogle, Justin, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Tanaka, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Perri, Rodon, Bornauw, Longstaff, James, Buonanotte, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk