Leeds United can lay ghost to rest as Farke toils with 11th-hour knocks at Preston

Leeds United visit Preston North End in a 12.30pm kick-off at Deepdale today, with the chance to climb back to the top of the Championship. Daniel Farke's team visits a Paul Heckingbottom side with only two defeats in their last 13 matches, but only one win in their last 10 outings.

Here are five things to look out for around today’s contest.

How many of the selection surprises Farke warned about?

The manager has always been very honest and open about team news during his tenure, so the doubt he expressed in yesterday’s press conference was genuine. There really are several players carrying knocks that could be surprise omissions today at Deepdale.

The two roles which seem to be most under the spotlight are in the full-back slots. If Jayden Bogle proved his fitness yesterday, he is likely to immediately return at right-back, which would then leave Farke with a left-back dilemma.

Which is in better condition to start today, Max Wober’s knee or Sam Byram’s hamstring? That may be what it comes down to at left-back. Do not rule out a few shocks elsewhere in the team, either.

Whose turn is it to take a rest on the flanks?

The sharpest and most in-form options on the wings for Farke are, surely, Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James right now. Do they both start again at lunchtime, though?

James has started the last three on the bounce, including two in the past seven days. The manager’s recent rotations would suggest he does not risk running James into the ground when there are alternatives queuing up to be used.

Gnonto did not start last Saturday and only got 69 minutes on Tuesday, so he is unlikely to have any issues with going again today. Largie Ramazani’s return to fitness was arguably stalled by Tuesday’s no-show, so it would be a surprise if Farke considers the Belgian ready yet.

Manor Solomon only played 68 minutes last Saturday and came on in the 69th minute on Tuesday. He will be champing at the bit to be recalled today and if Farke is serious about playing the Israeli back into form, perhaps he does replace James.

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The striker merry-go-round

Is there a genuine possibility Patrick Bamford comes back into the picture in the near future? Neither Joel Piroe nor Mateo Joseph are consistently impressing when they start matches for the Whites, so when does the England international get his chance?

Twenty-one minutes of action since November 7 would suggest he’s got a mountain to climb today, but Farke must be giving some thought to consistent cameos for Bamford. If not, how does he expect the number nine to become an option again?

It will be Piroe vs Joseph today and the former seems the likelier to start. The latter did not take his chance on Tuesday, while Piroe, again, caught the eye from the bench with his link-up play.

Can they stop the early kick-off from becoming a thing?

Yes, Derby County were vanquished in the lunchtime slot last weekend, but that did not follow a midweek game. The victory did end a 10-month winless streak, but this issue with early games at the end of a three-game week remains.

These are eerily similar circumstances to a fortnight ago, when Leeds ventured to Lancashire for a 12.30pm game on the back of two wins in the preceding week. Lay it to rest, please.

Meslier vs Osmajic needle

In 12 days, it will be exactly one year since Illan Meslier was sent off at Deepdale, in United’s last visit. The goalkeeper foolishly went head-to-head with Ben Whiteman before pushing Milutin Osmajic in the face, paving the way for an exaggerated fall and roll on the turf from the striker.

Osmajic should feature at some stage today, if not start the game in Sam Greenwood’s absence. They are probably too professional to revisit any grudges, but it’s a small narrative to follow with the French goalkeeper today.