Leeds United Under-21s Begin 2026/27 Season Against Stoke City

Leeds United Under-21s launch their 2026/27 campaign tonight, opening up in the Premier League Cup against Stoke City Under-21s under the lights at Newcastle Town.

Robbie Cook gets the nod in goal, trusted to anchor a youthful side in the first competitive outing of the season.

In front of him, Leeds line up with a back three of Jacob Howard, Louis Enahoro-Marcus and Jonny Howson, a blend of physical presence and composure on the ball. Out wide, Freddie Lane and Louis Philpott are tasked with providing the width, expected to shuttle up and down the flanks to support both defence and attack.

Ollie Pickles wears the armband and will try to dictate the tempo from midfield. He is joined in the engine room by Sam Chambers, forming the central pairing charged with getting Leeds on the ball and keeping them there.

Ahead of them, Harvey Vincent, Sam Alker and Carrick Njinko make up a lively front three, offering movement and energy as Leeds look to strike early in their group campaign.

On the bench, George Kenyon, Jacob Render, Loui Whitehead, Josh McDonald, Kenneth Mensah and a Trialist wait in reserve, ready to make an impact if called upon.

Kick-off at Newcastle Town is at 7pm, as Leeds’ next generation look to set the tone for their season.

Starting XI

Cook (GK), Lane, Philpott, Howard, Enahoro-Marcus, Howson, Vincent, Pickles (C), Njinko, Chambers, Alker.