Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi has praised his teammate Luke Ayling.
Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi has told The Yorkshire Evening Post that his teammate Luke Ayling is playing very well at the moment.
Ayling joined Leeds from Championship rivals Bristol City in the summer transfer window and has established himself as an important player for the team.
The 25-year-old, who can operate as a defender or as a defensive midfielder, has established himself in the right-back role at Elland Road.
Berardi has had injury problems this campaign and has to work hard to play regularly at right-back.
The 28-year-old, though, has made it clear that he is happy for Ayling and has praised his teammate.
“He needs to play because he’s doing very well,” Berardi told The Yorkshire Evening Post about Ayling.
“He deserves to play because the results are good and for the gaffer it’s difficult to change players.
“Of course it’s not good being on the bench but I tried to think positive and I wanted the team to be going like this. I want to try to go to the play-offs.”
Leeds are going strong in the Championship at the moment and are in the running for a top-six finish.
The West Yorkshire outfit are currently fifth in the standings with 45 points from 25 matches.
Garry Monk’s side are seven points behind second-placed Newcastle United, who got relegated from the Premier League.
Leeds will return to action next weekend when they take on Cambridge United away from home in the third round of the FA Cup.
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