Leeds United will be without U.S. men’s national team midfielder Tyler Adams for Wednesday’s return to English Premier League action, but the main positive for Adams is he will receive an extra few days of rest following a grueling World Cup schedule.

Adams is suspended for Wednesday’s home match with defending champions Manchester City, forcing manager Jesse Marsch to make at least one key change to his lineup. The 23-year-old midfielder has only missed three matches since his transfer to Leeds United this past summer, totaling 90 minutes in 10 of his 13 league appearances to date.

Adams played every minute for the USMNT in Qatar, helping the Americans reach the Round of 16 before suffering elimination at the hands of the Netherlands. Although Marsch would love to have Adams’ tireless work rate against Man City, the added days of rest could be crucial to keeping the midfielder fit during a busy start to the 2023 schedule.

“First of all, for him Adams, it’s been good he’s not available because it gives him a little bit more time to kind of gradually build in,” Marsch said in his prematch press conference Monday. “The demands on him mentally and physically were so high at the World Cup.

“He’s come out of it in a good way,” Marsch added. “He’s excited to get back to work. He’s obviously very confident and eager to get going, but he’s on track personally.”

Leeds United has lost its last two head-to-head matches against the Citizens by a combined score of 11-0, falling 4-0 at Elland Road last April. The Lilywhites are hovering dangerously near the relegation zone heading into the new year, sitting two points clear of 18th place Wolves.

Following a showdown with Man City, Leeds United will travel to second-place Newcastle United before matches against West Ham United, Aston Villa, and Brentford. Adams will be slated to return for the Newcastle match, rejoining international teammate Brenden Aaronson as the Yorkshire club seeks a move up the table.