Kyle Bartley suggests Leeds teammate’s form has been fantastic and has a warning for Charlie Taylor

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Charlie Taylor has not played for Leeds United since December, and Kyle Bartley has suggested that he will not automatically come back into the side.

Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum in action with Leeds’ Charlie Taylor

Leeds defender Kyle Bartley has told BBC Radio Leeds that Gaetano Berardi’s recent form has been fantastic, and has warned Charlie Taylor that he faces a tough task trying to get back into the team.

Taylor has not featured for the Whites since picking up an injury in the clash with Brentford in mid-December. Despite his quality however, and the perceived lack of depth at left-back, the man who has replaced him has arguably been one of Leeds’ best players over the last two months.

And after Berardi put in another brilliant display in Garry Monk’s side’s victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, Bartley suggested that the Swiss has given Monk an extremely tough decision to make.

“Bera’s been absolutely fantastic, he’s slotted in there really well and he’s really helped us at the back and he’s defended excellently at times,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

Lee Tomlin of Bristol City and Gaetano Berardi of Leeds United in action

“We all know he’d put his body where it hurts. Charlie will have a tough competition to try and get back in but it’s brilliant for the squad to get the likes of Charlie Taylor back fit, back pushing everyone.”

As Bartley alluded to, Berardi has no problem throwing himself into challenges and making stunning blocks. However, some have wondered whether Taylor – who returned to training this week (via Yorkshire Evening Post) – should come back in due to the attacking threat he offers.

Garry Monk

However, Berardi answered those who doubted whether he could pose a threat going forward as it was his stunning cross that led to the winning goal against the Owls. Though the defender’s decision to duck under it was the main talking point after Chris Wood tucked the ball home, the quality of the cross should not be overlooked.

And following another assured display, there will surely be a large portion of supporters who would rather see Berardi’s name on the teamsheet for Friday’s clash with Birmingham than Taylor’s.