Leeds United host Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off) hoping to bridge the gap between themselves and the top two.

Garry Monk’s side saw their six-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end at the hands of Yorkshire rivals Barnsley last week, with the Tykes coming from behind to secure a 3-2 win over the Whites.

It meant that Monk’s men lost ground on the automatic promotions places after a ninth loss of the campaign, as they now find themselves nine points behind second place Brighton, who themselves have a game in hand.

However, Leeds have the chance to get back to winning ways against a Nottingham Forest side that are without a manager following Philippe Montanier’s departure last week.

Nonetheless, they did beat fellow strugglers Bristol City 1-0 last weekend in a much-improved display from the club, and they’ll go to Elland Road hopeful of recording back-to-back successes for the first time since the start of December.

Monk will likely have been disappointed with his side’s display at Oakwell last weekend and may well make changes, so here are THREE Leeds players who deserve a chance against Forest on Wednesday…

Pontus Jansson

Leeds conceded some disappointing goals against Barnsley last weekend, but the whole club will be buoyed by Pontus Jansson’s return from suspension.

The 25-year-old picked up his tenth yellow card of the season in the FA Cup win over Cambridge United a few weeks ago, and was subsequently banned from their next two fixtures, the 1-0 win over Derby and the loss at Oakwell.

However, the Swedish international is sure to go straight back into the side for the visit of Forest such has been his excellent displays at the back this season, to the point where he has been one of their highest rated performers over the course of the campaign.

Jansson will surely return to the side at Elland Road on Wednesday.

Stuart Dallas

Midfielder Stuart Dallas will be pushing for a recall after coming on as a late substitute in the defeat at Barnsley, and should Monk want to change things around in the middle, Dallas could be the man to come in.

The 25-year-old has made 11 starts in the Championship this season, but his last three league appearances have come off the bench against Rotherham, Derby, and now Barnsley.

Dallas’ last start came in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, where he provided the assist for Pontus Jansson’s fine header, so he’s clearly got quality on the ball and, against a rejuvenated Forest side that won their last game, Leeds may need him on the pitch to make the telling difference.

Eunan O’Kane

Another option should Monk want to shake things up in midfield is Eunan O’Kane, who returned from injury with a half hour cameo off the bench against Barnsley last weekend.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder returned from international duty with a groin issue back in November, and aggravated it in the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in the League Cup.

Thus, the former Bournemouth man didn’t feature for Leeds at all during December but, given that he was a regular in the side prior to injury, making 12 Championship starts, Monk could give him his first start since November against Forest on Wednesday.