Leeds without departed Roofe as they take on Forest

Posted Thursday, August 08, 2019 by PA

Leeds will face Nottingham Forest without key striker Kemar Roofe, who has departed the club to join Belgian side Anderlecht.

Defender Gaetano Berardi is set to return to action, however, after serving a one-match ban after being sent against Derby in last season’s play-off semi-final second leg.

United could give a debut to 19-year-old goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who has joined the club on a season-long loan from Ligue 2 side Lorient.

Meslier replaces second-choice keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell after the 22-year-old joined Premier League club Burnley on a four-year contract.

Nottingham Forest may also include a former Ligue 2 goalkeeper in their squad, having signed 25-year-old Brice Samba from French club Caen.

Their defence is further bolstered by the arrival of Carl Jenkinson, who departed Arsenal to become Forest’s eighth signing of the summer.

The right-back could fill the gap left by Tendayi Darikwa, who has suffered an ACL rupture that will sideline him for much of the club’s Championship campaign.

Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi may also consider 22-year-old Matty Cash for the role after the versatile midfielder scored Forest’s only goal in the defeat to West Brom during the opening game of the season.