Leeds United first-team player Ilia Gruev will earn some valuable minutes on his return from injury this afternoon as he starts for Scott Gardner’s Under-21s in the Premier League 2 fixture at Middlesbrough under-21s.

The Bulgarian international has been sidelined since last campaign and features in the heart of the midfield on Teesside for the Whites.

Following the National League Cup victory over Solihull Moors during the week, goalkeeper Rory Mahady retains his place between the sticks, behind a defence of Jacob Howard, Louis Enahoro-Marcus and a trialist.

In midfield, Tuesday’s matchwinner Freddie Lane and Jayden Lienou provide the width, with skipper Ollie Pickles partnering Gruev. Up front, Josh McDonald, Harvey Vincent and Carrick Njinko lead the line.

On the bench, keeper Robbie Cook returns from international duty, joined by experienced mentor Jonny Howson, defenders Louie Philpott and Luke Matykiewicz, and forwards Jacob Render and Ditmir Hodja.

Action from Heritage Park gets underway at 12pm and subscribers to LUTV can watch the action live!

Starting XI: Mahady (GK), Vincent, Lienou, Howard, Enahoro-Marcus, Trialist, McDonald, Pickles, Njinko, Lane, Gruev.

Subs: Cook (GK), Render, Hodja, Howson, Philpott, Matykiewicz.

Middlesbrough: Connor (GK), Tika-Lemba, Bangura, Dede, Edmundson, Okunola, Hinneh, Greenup, Ibeh, McCabe (C), Coulson.

Subs: Bernard (GK), Patterson-Powell, Campbell, Wilson, Smith, Wager.