Luke Ayling has extended his stay at Leeds United by another four years.
Luke Ayling has admitted that he may struggle to get back into Leeds United’s starting XI because the players currently in the team have ‘started really well’.
The 28-year-old, who was a regular at right-back last season, is yet to feature this term because of an injury, with the senior man being well aware that he may now have to ‘wait my turn’ to get back into the side.
In his absence, the versatile Stuart Dallas has deployed that right-back role, and it could be argued that he has been one of Leeds’ better players this term.
Leeds recently confirmed that Ayling had penned down a new contract at the club [LUFC’s official website], as he had this brief message about returning to first-team action pretty soon.
“I’m really happy to sign on, now it’s all about trying to get back out on the pitch and helping the lads,” Ayling told LUTV. “For me personally, it’s about making sure I get back fit. Staying fit and then hopefully helping the boys out.
“The boys have started really well so I am going to have to wait my turn to get back in the team, but I will be there waiting and If I get called upon, I’ll come back in and hopefully do my best.”
Given the way Dallas is playing, Ayling might find himself making appearances from the bench as he nears a return to first-team action.
But given the fact that there is not a bonafide right-back playing in front of him, Dallas could still take his place elsewhere in the starting XI, whilst Ayling returns to his natural position.
Either way, this sort of competition is only good for Leeds because a player like Ayling is one of the best fullbacks in the Championship, and if he finds himself on the bench in these coming months then that’ll say a lot about Leeds starting XI.
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