Leeds United Under-21s return to action this evening, looking to end their National League Cup campaign strongly as they visit Gateshead FC in Group D.

Champions of the competition on its debut last season, the Whites have won once and lost twice in their opening three fixtures this time round, producing a brilliant display in a 3-1 victory over Scunthorpe United thanks to Harry Gray’s hattrick.

Scott Gardner has named his side for tonight’s clash, making six changes to the team that was narrowly defeated last time out by Accrington Stanley in the Vertu Trophy.

Darryl Ombang makes a return between the sticks, with a back four of Will Firth, Louis Enahoro-Marcus, and Jacob Howard and Jayden Lienou, who return from international duty with England Under-17s and Wales Under-19s respectively.

Ollie Pickles and Alfie Cresswell make up the pivot, with the latter taking the armband, and Devon Brockie sits ahead of them. Sam Chambers, who is back from Scotland Under-19s duty, and Jacob Render man the flanks as Marley Wilson leads the line on his first start for the U21s.

Robert Cook is joined on the bench by Logan White, Reuben Lopata-White, Callum Mills, Louie Dudley and Luke Matykiewicz.

Starting XI: Ombang (GK), Firth, Lienou, Cresswell (C), Howard, Enahoro-Marcus, Render, Pickles, Wilson, Brockie, Chambers.

Subs: Cook (GK), White, Lopata-White, Mills, Dudley, Matykiewicz.

Gateshead: Shelvey (GK), Ferguson, Elliott-Wheeler, Richardson (C), Flint, Adom, Telford, Butterfield, Newton, Hurst, Bone.

Subs: Leech (GK), Lowery-Matondo, Home, John, Edwards, Fitzhugh, Williams.