Leeds United

2 Leeds United fringe players Jesse Marsch ought to hand starts to vs Accrington Stanley

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Leeds United ran out 5-2 winners against Cardiff City at Elland Road in their third round FA Cup replay to set up a tie away to Accrington Stanley this weekend.

Leeds should be clear favourites for the tie, given the two league gap between the sides, but the Whites have been bitten before by lower league opposition and the FA Cup can be unforgiving.

Leeds have not progressed to the fourth round since the 2016-17 season when they were knocked out by Sutton United at the same stage. Leeds will be hoping to miss out on any ‘giant killing’ this time out against the League One opposition and book their place in the fifth round.

Who are some of the fringe players who Jesse Marsch should hand a start to against Accrington? We take a look at TWO here.

Darko Gyabi

Leeds’ £5million commitment to sign Gyabi from Manchester City already told us that the midfielder is not here simply play reserve games in the Under-21 setup, but to push for a first-team place very soon.

He has been excellent for the development side this season, combining fantastic close control and spacial awareness when carrying the ball with his huge frame and physicality. He has bossed midfield battles.

The 18-year-old has already proved to be above the level of Premier League 2 Division 2 football and needs more minutes at senior level. Gyabi made his competitive debut for Leeds and did well in the narrow EFL Cup defeat to Wolves and was handed a brief substitute Premier League appearance against his former side Manchester City, too.

He should be handed another start and chance to prove his worth in Leeds’ midfield against lower league opposition. Gyabi has already faced a League One side this season in the EFL Trophy as well, in the form of Bolton Wanderers.

Is Gyabi a smart signing?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Joel Robles

Given Leeds’ precarious position in the league table, resting key players to protect them ought to be a priority for Marsch.

Few players are more important than Illan Meslier, and Joel Robles has looked perfectly capable when called upon. He should start against the League One side.

The 32-year-old shot stopper is not likely to be tested too frequently against Accrington, given that Leeds should be able to dominate the majority of the game. Importantly, he keeps Meslier out of the frame and in risk of an injury and so he should start, as he did in Cardiff for the first game of Leeds’ third round clash.

Meslier has been ever-present in the Premier League and that must continue going into a run of fixtures which looks potentially season defining for the Whites.

The big updated Joel Robles quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

1 of 20

Which team did Robles just leave in the summer?

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