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Early Leeds United team news revealed as Daniel Farke makes sweeping changes for West Ham visit

Daniel Farke will ring the changes against West Ham
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Leeds welcome the Hammers to Elland Road for a Friday night Premier League six-pointer.

Nuno Espirito Santo is still searching for a first win since taking over at the London Stadium, while Leeds are hoping to turn a corner after three games without victory.

Leeds United could make up to five changes for West Ham visit

LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: The players of Leeds United form a team huddle prior to kick-off ahead of the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on October 04, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Leeds United players huddle together before kick-off (Image credit: Getty Images)

Farke admitted in midweek that Leeds were dealing with a series of knocks and potential absentees through illness.

FourFourTwo understands the Leeds boss plans to ring the changes in a bid to refresh an attack which has misfired in recent weeks.

Leeds United's Swiss striker #19 Noah Okafor (R) scores their first goal past Tottenham Hotspur's Italian goalkeeper #01 Guglielmo Vicario (L) during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on October 4, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Noah Okafor scores versus Spurs, but may not be ready to start against West Ham (Image credit: Getty Images)

A 2-0 defeat by Burnley last time out was a disappointing result for the Whites, considering they pipped the Clarets to top spot in the Championship last term.

Farke insisted the scoreline was not reflective of the team's performance and chance creation, but ultimately his players could not convert.

Wales international winger Dan James is expected to return to the lineup this evening in place of American midfielder Brenden Aaronson.

Aaronson came in for criticism after his display at Turf Moor last Saturday and will be taken out of the firing line by Farke.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who has not kept a clean sheet for Leeds this season, is also expected to drop out and be replaced by summer signing Lucas Perri. The Brazilian has spent a number of weeks sidelined through injury but will return to the Leeds lineup tonight.

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Pascal Struijk was rated as doubtful due to illness in the week but is believed to be fit enough to make the squad, although he could lose his place in the starting XI to summer arrival Jaka Bijol.

The Slovenian international is yet to make his Premier League debut but that is likely to change for the visit of West Ham.

Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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