Leeds United have scarce back up at present in a key position.
Blackburn’s Hope Akpan and Leeds’ Liam Cooper in action
Liam Cooper has been a back-up for Leeds United this season, but an important one to have.
Just as he was working his way into the starting XI, he has picked up a six-game ban, leaving Leeds without crucial cover for either Pontus Jansson or Kyle Bartley.
At a push, right-back Luke Ayling could fill in, with either Lewie Coyle or Gaetano Berardi replacing him, but it would not be ideal.
The most concerning aspect of their situation is the fact Leeds have no players ready to step up from their youth squad, a worrying issue both short and long term.
Leeds’ under-23 team is bottom of their division, as are the under-18s, and questions are being raised over the talent level in the academy which has served them so well in recent years.
Critical… former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn
Former academy boss Neil Redfearn told Radio Yorkshire last week that this was a result of cost cutting from the top.
The academy has been a rich talent pool in recent seasons, benefiting the first team by supplying Charlie Taylor, Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt and Ronaldo Vieira among others.
There has not though been a centre-back close to making the breakthrough, and this is the point where they need one more than ever.
It would be a tough ask for a kid to jump into the promotion battle at this stage, but Leeds would have wanted to have a promising talent already pushing for a first team spot.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
