Leeds United could have Pontus Jansson and Gaetano Berardi at the heart of their defence on Saturday.
Thomas Christiansen has explained why Leeds United failed to sign a centre-back on deadline day.
Leeds could be without three of their senior options when Cardiff City visit Elland Road on Saturday, with Liam Cooper’s suspension and injuries to Matthew Pennington and Conor Shaughnessy leaving just Pontus Jansson and Gaetano Berardi to man the fort during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Hull City.
The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that the Whites were searching for a solution, but were only interested in those available on six-month loan deals.
Asked about the situation on Friday, Christiansen told Leeds Live: “The market is very very difficult.
After Conor’s injury, the market closed in two days, with no guarantee of finding this player. If you want player like that, it costs a lot.”
The Leeds boss also warned: “If we sign someone, we have five [centre-backs] and that’s too much.”
According to Christiansen, Pennington is the only one of the absent trio who could return against Cardiff.
However, the Dane added that there are “different circumstances we have in mind”, if not.
One such circumstance could see summer signing Ousim Bouy called into Leeds’ first team squad.
The former Juventus defender returned to Elland Road from a disappointing loan spell at Cultural Leonesa last month, and while he has yet to be thrust into action by Christiansen, Bouy does have plenty of experience in equivalent or higher divisions in Italy, Greece and the Netherlands.
Asked about the possibility of the 24-year-old being involved on Saturday, Christiansen told Leeds Live: “I took the decision to keep him.
“I spoke with him. He decided to stay. He has the opportunity – a small opportunity perhaps.
“I like very much how he trains, he’s a good player. Perhaps in one situation he gets the opportunity.
“The most important [thing] is you have a player who wants to be here and work hard.”
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