Leeds suffered a 4-1 loss to West Brom on Saturday evening.
Marcelo Bielsa made the surprise decision to include youngster Leif Davis in his 18-man Leeds United squad that suffered a 4-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday evening – which comes as another blow to a Leeds defender.
Davis, 18, joined the Whites in the summer from Morecambe and has been a consistent performer in Carlos Corberan’s Under-23 side of late, playing at left-back and as part of a back three.
Bielsa has made numerous visits to Thorp Arch to watch the Under-23’s continue their impressive start in the Professional Development League, where Davis has impressed.
Though the teenager remained an unused substitute, it shows both Bielsa’s trust in his younger players as well as Davis’ rapid progression since joining the club in the summer.
However, his inclusion in the senior side will come as another bitter blow to Conor Shaughnessy, who has been made to wait on the sidelines with injury after injury.
Shaughnessy, 22, broke into the Leeds side last season under Thomas Christiansen and has clocked up 15 appearances in all competitions – but only one of those has come this season in the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Preston.
He was hauled off the field of play at half-time in that match, and Davis’ selection above the Irishman suggests that the teenager has jumped ahead of Shaughnessy in the pecking order.
The Ireland Under-21 international, who stands at a lofty 6ft 3in, has a contract at Elland Road until the summer of 2021 but his inability to break into Bielsa’s plans suggests that he may have to find senior game time elsewhere.
Indeed, a January loan move may be the best bet for the versatile defender, with Davis seemingly considered Bielsa’s preferred choice to act as cover for Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
