Luke Ayling will miss Leeds United’s games with Brighton and Reading after picking up a tenth yellow card of the season against QPR.
Luke Ayling
Neil Redfearn has told Radio Yorkshire that Leeds supporters should not be too concerned about what Luke Ayling’s upcoming suspension will mean for the side’s form.
The right-back collected his tenth yellow card of the season in Saturday’s stalemate with Queens Park Rangers, meaning that he will miss the crucial games against Brighton and Reading.
But while some supporters may be concerned about what Ayling’s absence will mean for their chances of securing positive results from those two games – the 25-year-old has arguably been one of the Whites’ best players this season – Redfearn suggested that the form of Gaetano Berardi and the return of Charlie Taylor should help Garry Monk’s men cope without Ayling.
“I like Luke Ayling, I think he’s had a great season but I don’t think you’re going to lose too much with Berardi going to right-back, and I think you’ll gain a little bit on the left hand side with Taylor coming in there, natural left-footer,” he told Radio Yorkshire.
Gaetano Berardi
“So I don’t think it’ll be as big a loss as we think.”
While Redfearn is confident that Leeds can cope, there is no question that Berardi and Taylor are set to be handed two of the toughest tests possible in the Championship with both upcoming opponents also chasing promotion.
However, the pair nearly managed to help the side keep a clean sheet against the division’s in form team Fulham last week – the Cottagers were relying on a late stunner from distance to earn a point – so it may not be a surprise if, after the two games, the fans are left wondering whether Ayling does come straight back into the team.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
