Predicted Leeds side to face Preston: Eight changes, Shaughnessy returns

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Leeds play host to Preston in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Marcelo Bielsa is expected to make changes to his Leeds United side on Tuesday evening as they host Championship outfit Preston North End at Elland Road in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Leeds gained a place in the draw for the next round after their narrow 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers, which saw the Argentine manager ring the changes for that fixture.

With the emphasis heavily on gaining promotion and the Whites currently sitting at the top of the Championship with four wins and a draw, Bielsa will be keen to rest some of his first-team stars.

Indeed, fans and pundits alike are concerned that Bielsa’s high tempo, high press style of play will tire the Leeds squad far more than their opponents, and a rest such as the clash against Preston is key to resting some of his star players.

New signings Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford have all been made to wait for a chance to shine in the first team, though last season’s stars have impressed enough to remain in the side under Bielsa.

But they are all expected to start on Tuesday night, which sees Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Mateusz Klich, Gjanni Alioski, Pablo Hernandez and Kemar Roofe all drop to the bench.

Jamie Shackleton starred on the right side of defence during the 2-2 draw against Swansea and he is likely to start over Luke Ayling, while attacker Tyler Roberts will be given another chance to prove his £2.5million transfer fee.

Irish centre-back Conor Shaughnessy has returned to the bench for the last three fixtures against Rotherham, Bolton and Swansea, and the 22-year-old could make his first appearance since January – replacing Gaetano Berardi.

Here, we think Leeds will make seven changes in total, with Blackman, Shackleton, Shaughnessy, Tom Pearce, Roberts, Baker, Harrison and Bamford coming in for Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Berardi, Douglas, Hernandez, Klich, Alioski and Roofe.

Only Pontus Jansson, Kalvin Phillips and Samu Saiz remain from the 3-0 win over Norwich.