LEEDS United head coach Marcelo Bielsa took the unusual step of naming his starting line up for Sunday's FA Cup third round tie at QPR 48 hours early.

The Championship leaders will welcome the cup distraction, after losing their last two league games and will be pitting their wits against Steve McClaren's ever-improving Hoops.

Leeds will start with a strong line-up at Loftus Road tomorrow (kick-off 2pm), which is set to include goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, defender Luke Ayling and striker Tyler Roberts.

Bielsa revealed his line-up to reporters today: "Farrell will start. (Jamie) Shackleton will play right back. (Aapo) Halme will play because (Pontus) Jansson will train normally from Monday. Ayling will play too because he needs to.

"Adam (Forshaw) will play as a number four, Baker will play at eight. Roberts will play. I'm interested seeing Jack Harrison. as a number nine. We've been working with Aapo, (Leif) Davis and Shackleton for many weeks. It's a good moment for them to start this game.

"(Kalvin) Phillips is injured, (Liam) Cooper will play with U23 on Monday. Davis will play too because (Barry) Douglas is injured."

Bielsa, who himself is making his FA Cup debut on the sidelines on Sunday, added he would give the world's oldest football competition respect.

He said: "Before starting the season, I know what the calendar is. I never underestimate an official competition. It's among the compromises of the team. The FA Cup has a history. Of course, I will respect this competition."

The former Argentina and Chile head coach also had his say on his side's involvement in the January transfer window.

Bielsa added: "The position of the club is any player we bring in, has to improve the group. I can't tell you if a player will come or not. If the club can get players in the positions we have suffered some injuries, it will be better."

Leeds face QPR in the FA Cup for the first time since February 1987 when they ran out 2-1 winners, with Ian Baird and Brendan Ormsby scoring for Leeds that day.

Meanwhile, Roberts says he is also looking forward to being involved in the tie.

He said: "It's the biggest cup game in English football, so to be able to play in them is an honour. We're not taking the FA Cup lightly, I'd love a cup run."

Meanwhile, former Leeds ace, Bradford-born Fabian Delph, completes a three-match suspension as Manchester City host Sky Bet Championship side Rotherham in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.