Leeds should consider Tom Pearce loan as Leif Davis impresses

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Leeds United defender Tom Pearce has struggled for game-time so far this season.

Tom Pearce is perhaps unlucky given that he is the one player in the Leeds squad who has seen his place in the team taken by one of Marcelo Bielsa’s summer signings, with Barry Douglas currently the only newbie to hold down a regular spot in the Whites’ side.

Douglas appears to be finding his feet at Elland Road. And while that is fantastic news for Leeds – given how influential he was at Wolves last term – it does perhaps leave Pearce in an unfortunate position.

The 20-year-old’s only appearance of the campaign so far came in the Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers, and while he may perhaps be in contention to start Tuesday’s latest tie against Preston North End, he should perhaps consider pushing for a late loan move.

Douglas is performing well, Gaetano Berardi can play at left-back – as can forgotten man Vurnon Anita if the situation becomes desperate – and Leif Davis’ latest display for the under-23s suggests that Leeds have stumbled upon another real gem in the market.

Davis was superb in the 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers on Monday, and if he keeps performing on that level, he will surely be a player that is on Bielsa’s radar by the end of the season, if not sooner.

Pearce meanwhile, is in a difficult situation. In an ideal world, Leeds should look to keep him around as he is the second best left-back within the squad. However, if Douglas remains fit throughout the campaign, then Pearce’s development could stagnate somewhat, especially as he is no longer getting game-time with Carlos Corberan’s youngsters.

It may be a risk, but the Whites should potentially consider loaning Pearce out, perhaps only until January, as regular minutes may be exactly what he needs.

And if Davis continues to perform as he did on Monday, it is entirely possible that Leeds loaning Pearce out could be beneficial for all parties, with Davis’ display providing another hint that the Whites’ Achilles heel from last season may prove to be one of their biggest strengths at some stage in the future.