Leeds United-owned Lewie Coyle continues to impress on loan at Fleetwood Town.
Leeds United loanee Lewie Coyle helped Fleetwood Town extend their unbeaten streak to five matches on Saturday following the 2-0 win over Northampton.
The 22-year-old has now started 33 League One games for Fleetwood and the glowing perception of him among the club’s fans is a big indication of how successful his loan has been and a return to Leeds is on the cards.
If he does find himself competing at Thorp Arch for senior football at Elland Road next season, could Gaetano Berardi be at risk of being sold to accommodate the young right-back?
Coyle and Luke Ayling would represent Paul Heckingbottom’s right-back options and although Berardi can also do a job on the left, Tom Pearce’s emergence under the former Barnsley manager, coupled with the potential signing of a left-back this summer, may see the Swiss defender’s importance greatly reduced next term.
Berardi is a popular figure among United fans, but the former Sampdoria man turns 30 in August and with new blood coming through in both of his positions, he needs a very impressive last six or seven weeks to justify being kept on beyond this summer.
He is a leader and god knows that Leeds can’t afford to sell the few big characters that they have, but it seems plausible that Heckingbottom can’t bring Coyle back and continue giving Pearce much-needed experience without Berardi suffering.
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