The Leeds United defender looks a shadow of his best self.
Last season, Luke Ayling took the prize for Leeds United’s unsung hero – a summer signing who came in under the radar before delivering a string of outstanding performances – but a year on he looks desperately in need of a rest.
The 26-year-old was one of Leeds’ rare shining lights during some of their earlier defeats, impressing along with play-maker Samu Saiz, but more recently Ayling has fallen into the same worrying form as many of his teammates and based on recent evidence he needs a spell out of the firing line.
Once Gaetano Berardi returns from suspension Ayling should be rested, with the Swiss defender covering in his more natural position on the right.
That would allow the former Bristol City player the chance to rest his clearly tired limbs while also refocusing his mind prior to the challenges to come.
At his best, Ayling is one of Leeds’ most important players, but it seems he has simply played too much football this season, an ever-present in the league and a regular in the EFL Cup.
Leeds had additional cover in the form of Lewie Coyle but, with the youngster enjoying a loan spell at Fleetwood Town, it is makeshift left-back Berardi who offers Ayling’s only real competition just when the Whites need everyone fit, firing and anything but fatigued.
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