Leeds United’s Jamie Shackleton is a natural at right-back.
Jamie Shackleton was impressive as Leeds kept a clean sheet in their victory over Bolton.
The youngster is filling in at right-back while Luke Ayling, Gaetano Berardi and Stuart Dallas are out injured.
At the weekend Shackleton attempted more tackles than any Leeds defender and he looks a natural in the position after being promoted from the academy by manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Shackleton looks like he could follow the path of Sam Byram to become a regular for Leeds at the position one day.
Leeds sold Byram for £3.7 million to West Ham after he developed into one of the best players in the Championship.
Luke Ayling was an excellent signing as a replacement, but Leeds had expected youngster Lewie Coyle to rise up and challenge.
Coyle has since been sent out on successive loan moves to Fleetwood Town, where he has been developing as a player, but current boss Marcelo Bielsa is unlikely to recall him.
This is because the Argentine boss believes Shackleton can do the job just fine, and it looks like the teenager is overtaking Coyle in the queue at Leeds.
Coyle is now 23 and he will face a decision next summer whether to try and compete or move on permanently.
Shackleton’s emergence could nudge him closer to the exit door if the teenager continues to show Byram-like ability in his first team opportunities.
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