Paul Heckingbottom has a decision to make at the heart of the Leeds defence.
Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom has a number of selection headaches to solve ahead of Saturday’s Yorkshire derby against Barnsley, as he welcomes his old side to Elland Road.
Under-fire Heckingbottom has chopped and changed between his strikers, while central midfield has also seen a number of partnerships arise since the Yorkshire-born manager took control at Leeds.
But perhaps his choice at centre-back will be his biggest headache, as the form of Under-23 captain Paudie O’Connor continues to excite and surprise Leeds’ expectant fan base.
Irishman O’Connor, 20, has starred in his first three appearances for Leeds, though he is yet to taste victory in the senior team after a draw against Sunderland on his debut and losses to Preston North End and Aston Villa.
Leeds fans were asked on Twitter who they would like to see start against Preston at centre-back on Saturday afternoon, and the majority want O’Connor to partner 27-year-old Sweden international Pontus Jansson in what could be the start of new long-term partnership.
One fan described his choice “magic hat and Irish”, as fans overlook the likes of Matthew Pennington and Liam Cooper.
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