Leeds must consider rivalling West Brom for Tyrone Mings

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Leeds United should act with the Bournemouth defender potentially available on loan.

With Liam Cooper returning alongside Pontus Jansson at the heart of the Leeds defence for the game against Derby last Friday, it is not a big surprise that the Whites kept a clean sheet on their way to a hugely impressive victory at Elland Road.

If the pair can stay together for the rest of the season, with support soon coming from the currently-injured Gaetano Berardi, Leeds will be extremely optimistic about their chances of promotion.

But given the Whites’ track record with injuries this term, Marcelo Bielsa will be taking nothing for granted. And that should perhaps tempt the boss to look at reports linking Tyrone Mings with a loan move into the Championship.

The Sun has reported that West Brom want Mings until the end of the season, and Bournemouth could let him go on a temporary basis if they manage to land Chris Mepham from Brentford.

Mings – who joined the Cherries for £8 million, according to BBC Sport – could be a fantastic addition for any Championship side this month. He has, admittedly, struggled with injury during his time at the Vitality Stadium, but if he can enjoy a run of luck with his fitness, he could be an inspired signing.

Given Bournemouth’s style, the 25-year-old would not need too long to adapt to Bielsa’s preferred style of play. He is comfortable playing out from the back, and his stature could help make Leeds more difficult to beat from set-pieces, which have been a problem at times this season.

It seems unlikely that Bielsa will look to sign a defender this month. He previously suggested, in comments reported by the Express, that he is not planning to add to his options at the back. But a player of Mings’ calibre is worth considering, especially as it appears to be one of their main promotion rivals that may be looking to capitalise on his availability.