Stuart Dallas was crucial before his injury, but do Leeds even need him now?

Follow us on Google Discover

Dallas was being used as a right-back before fracturing his foot.

The timing of Stuart Dallas’ injury back in December was a blow. Liked by Marcelo Bielsa because of his immense versatility, Dallas was being used as an emergency right-back – and impressing.

Left-footed and naturally a winger, 27-year-old Dallas was Bielsa’s choice to fill the void on the right side of defence following injuries to both Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi.

But as fate would have it, Dallas suffered a cruel blow as he picked up a fractured foot in early December. His lengthy absence grew by double towards the end of January, when it was ruled that he had picked up an ankle injury, too.

Now, the former Brentford star is set to be on the sidelines until at least the middle of March. Suffering the injury while being a mainstay in the side, does Dallas now have a chance of breaking back into the side?

Hardly, is the answer. Ayling has returned from his injury and though his form has been questionable, he received a glowing verdict from Bielsa on Tuesday – he repaid the Argentine boss with an excellent display against Swansea.

Though he conceded a penalty, Ayling hardly put a foot wrong. Jamie Shackleton has proved to be excellent cover, while Gjanni Alioski’s performances may even keep Barry Douglas out of the starting eleven on the left side of defence.

No room at full-back for Dallas, then. His chances of re-earning a place in the side in his natural position is hardly promising either. Jack Harrison is improving, Jack Clarke is a rising star and Pablo Hernandez is, well, Pablo Hernandez.

Alioski is also able to play there, as is Kemar Roofe and Tyler Roberts. Dallas – a £1.3million signing from Brentford in the summer of 2015 (Sky Sports) – will be ruing the timing of his injuries.

His contract does not help the Northern Ireland international either. In the summer, he will have just 12 months remaining on the deal and if he cannot break into the side now, there is even smaller hope if Leeds gain promotion.