Daniel Farke is looking for a second career win against Sunderland as Leeds United go to blustery Wearside to face Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats. The big question mark was around Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

In eight matches throughout his managerial career in England with Norwich and Leeds, the German has faced Sunderland on eight occasions. But he’s only won once, losing three times and drawing four.

Earlier this week, the former Gladbach manager confirmed that the Whites could be without starting trio Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Anton Stach for the clash. Calvert-Lewin’s absence would be a real blow.

With Calvert-Lewin already netting five goals in all competitions this season, four of which have come in seven Premier League games, Farke will have been desperate for him to overcome a foot injury.

Daniel Farke makes three changes as Calvert-lewin starts

Given his horrendous record against Sunderland, Farke will be keen to get Calvert-Lewin into the side, having netted three career goals against them – in three games. Thankfully, Calvert-Lewin starts.

Lukas Nmecha might have been hoping for his first Premier League start of the season at Sunderland, but clearly, the foot injury has not been serious enough to prevent Calvert-Lewin from being named in the XI.

Surprisingly, there is no Nico Elvedi in the Leeds defence. Jaka Bijol comes in to the starting XI, while youngster Alfie Cresswell – one of the six youngsters in Leeds training this week – named on the bench.

Three changes from the draw against Man United, then. In comes Bijol, Aaronson and Wilson for Elvedi, Stach and Okafor, while Calvert-Lewin remains in the starting XI to take on Sunderland this afternoon.

Should the Whites prevail against a Sunderland side that have struggled to cope with Europe so far, Leeds will climb into fifth place and overtake Chelsea after Xabi Alonso’s side were beaten at home by Spurs.

Confirmed XI: James Trafford; James Justin, Jaka Bijol, Tarik Muharemovic; Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Gabi Gudmundsson; Harry Wilson, Brenden Aaronson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.