Leeds United's first new-look XI under Jesse Marsch takes shape for Blackpool opener

Eight days stand between Leeds United and their first pre-season friendly of the summer. Tuesday’s confirmation Blackpool will visit York for the opener has quickly put a timescale on Jesse Marsch’s preparations for the coming season.

With the training underway at Thorp Arch, we will rapidly be into the friendlies and then Wolverhampton Wanderers will be at Elland Road in no time. Every friendly counts and with a solid cohort already back in West Yorkshire, Marsch’s attention will turn to who he uses next week.

The players yet to return for pre-season are expected to do so on July 4 and after a first day of testing will only have two Thorp Arch days behind them when Blackpool arrive. Assuming Marsch focuses on those players with a lot more training in their legs, we have the makings of our first XI of the summer.

No goalkeepers have yet been sighted in the media released from training, so Illan Meslier looks the safest bet for the Blackpool match after returning at the start of next week. Right-back could boil down to Cody Drameh or Jamie Shackleton.

The pair have every chance of spending the season away from Leeds in order to play more football, but the former may just have the edge after his season with Cardiff City. Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk should be nailed on as the two central defenders.

Junior Firpo is currently the only fit, senior, natural left-back in the squad. Leif Davis has an outside chance of sticking around next season as a back-up, but should be behind Firpo in York.

The public should get their first sight of Marc Roca in Leeds colours when the Tangerines arrive in Yorkshire. The Spaniard looks a good bet to play in the double pivot of the 4-2-3-1 we saw from Marsch last season.

Lewis Bate or Sam