Bamford returns: Leeds United team news and predicted XI to face Middlesbrough

Leeds United face Middlesbrough on Monday evening in a crunch game at the Riverside. The Whites’ form has tumbled at a time when wins would have seen them clear and away at the top of the table. Leicester City and Ipswich Town have stumbled too and while Southampton were beaten at the weekend, three straight wins prior has them breathing down the Elland Road outfit’s neck. Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS. Daniel Farke’s side travel to Teeside on the back of two successive defeats to Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers. They sit 3rd in a congested Championship table and must win if they’re to return to the automatic promotion places. The return fixture at the start of December saw Leeds see off a determined Boro outfit at Elland Road. Farke and co came out of that game 3-2 victors on the day and will need a similar result in this reverse fixture. Ahead of the game, Farke issued the latest on his squad, as relayed by the Yorkshire Evening Post. He confirmed that on-loan right-back Connor Roberts is definitely out of contention, further limiting the options in the backline. Adding that he was “more or less the only bad news”, Farke did concede that Jamie Shackleton could be doubtful for the upcoming Middlesbrough game. He said this could be a game that comes “too soon for him”. Aside from the above duo, Farke reported a clean bill of health. Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gray, Gruev; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford With Roberts ruled out, expect Sam Byram to return to the right-back role he has spent much of his career in. That may be the only change, though the continued goalless run of Joel Piroe may see Patrick Bamford brought back into the lineup. Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS. Monday’s game represents the first of Leeds United’s trio of ‘cup finals’ as the Whites front up to their last three Championship ties. After two defeats on the spin, the West Yorkshire giants need to pick themselves up and get back on track. They have fashioned chances in those two defeats, but they have also looked more than a little ragged and disjointed. This is something that they will need to overcome. Leeds United need to rediscover their sparkle and they need to blitz their Teesside hosts and bring maximum points back from their journey north.