Leeds United are holding their breath as they wait for an update on right-back Luke Ayling.
For the second season in a row, Leeds’ clash with Nottingham Forest saw Luke Ayling taken off with a serious looking injury. Last term, the problem ruled him out for several months, and the Whites are now keeping everything crossed that history stops repeating itself.
If Ayling is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines, Bielsa certainly has options. Jamie Shackleton was excellent against Swansea City earlier this term, while Gaetano Berardi could definitely be an option if he does not regain his place at centre-back. Stuart Dallas is also someone that Bielsa clearly trusts.
The trio could shoulder the burden if Leeds have to deal with no further injury problems at the back. But with Bielsa’s centre-back options also limited, it is a gamble to rely on the trio.
So if Ayling is sidelined for several months, Bielsa should consider using his relationship with Mauricio Pochettino and make an ambitious loan bid for Kyle Walker-Peters during the January transfer window.
Walker-Peters has been hugely impressive whenever he has played for Tottenham during his career. But he has struggled for minutes with Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier still proving to be Mauricio Pochettino’s first choice options at right-back.
Football London reported in the summer that Walker-Peters could be given the green light to leave on loan. And Leeds should certainly look into whether that remains the case.
Walker-Peters is too good for the Championship, but if he is not getting game-time with Spurs, then perhaps Pochettino may be interested in sending him to work with a coach that he trusts.
And if Leeds can get something done for Walker-Peters, then that would undoubtedly be a fantastic way for the Championship high-flyers to respond to any bad news that comes their way regarding Ayling’s injury.
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