Leeds United Under-21s Begin 2026/27 Premier League Cup Journey

Leeds United’s Under-21s step into a new campaign tonight, opening their 2026/27 Premier League Cup journey 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 their 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, offering a blend of physical presence and composure. Out wide, Freddie Lane and Louis Philpott are tasked with providing the width, expected to shuttle up and down the flanks and stretch Stoke from the first whistle.

The armband goes to Ollie Pickles, who will look to set the tempo from midfield. He is joined in the engine room by Sam Chambers, a pairing that will have to control possession and protect the back line against a Stoke side likely to test them physically.

Ahead of them, Harvey Vincent, Sam Alker and Carrick Njinko form a lively front three, charged with supplying the goals to kick-start Leeds’ cup campaign with a statement performance.

On the bench, head coach options include George Kenyon, Jacob Render, Loui Whitehead, Josh McDonald, Kenneth Mensah and a Trialist, offering fresh legs and different profiles should the game demand a change of approach.

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

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