Leeds United are to be without Tyler Adams for the start of the Championship season after his lengthy hamstring layoff, and Daniel Farke needs to have plans in place on how to cover for him.

A final clash of the pre-season schedule awaits Leeds this weekend with a trip to Scotland to face Hearts at Tynecastle.

Daniel Farke inherited a side with key players carrying major injuries, and that includes Tyler Adams, as the boss confirmed post-Monaco that the USMNT captain is going to be missing until September after his hamstring issue.

While Leeds may look to invest in signing someone else to cover the 24-year-old, Farke might have to make do for the time being.

Here, we look at the two players that we think need to be starting as Adams sits out…

Having joined from Chelsea on a permanent fee for £7million, Leeds have at least one nailed-on starting midfielder for the 23/24 season in Ethan Ampadu.

Somewhat harsh concerns were raised when the Welsh international joined, pointing out his record of relegations whilst out on loan from Stamford Bridge, but his performance on his debut against Monaco made that soon forgotten.

He controlled the middle of the park very well, guarding the back four smartly while retaining possession relatively comfortably despite the quality of the opposition.

His range of passing on either side became quickly apparent too, aiming to break the lines often to find Leeds’ dangerous wingers in space.

Facing Hearts should give Leeds much more of a yardstick for what they can expect in the Championship this season, having faced Manchester United, Monaco, and Nottingham Forest – all top flight sides with top flight quality.

Leeds should be ball-dominant in this game, and you would expect that partnering Ampadu is Darko Gyabi.

The £5million youngster has been knocking on the door for regular starts, and relegation means he’s been thrust high up the pecking order.

Gyabi, like Ampadu, appears unfazed under pressure in the middle of the park, happy to swivel out of trouble to open up the pitch, and pairing that with someone similar is a great asset for Leeds.

What Gyabi can learn from Ampadu is how to be available almost at all times when Leeds build from the back, something that will come with experience.