Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn has reportedly ruled out playing Dario Del Fabro, Marco Silvestri, Mirco Antenucci, Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci or Edgar Cani again this season.
Neil Redfearn will not play any of the six players who pulled out of Leeds United’s match against Charlton Athletic with injury for the remainder of the season, according to a report in the Daily Star.
Dario Del Fabro, Marco Silvestri, Mirco Antenucci, Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci and Edgar Cani all ruled themselves out of Leeds’ most recent game at the last minute and Redfearn is said to be furious by their actions.
With the six set for a lengthy period of the sidelines, we take a look at three Leeds players who could benefit from their absences.
Stuart Taylor
It has been a long time since Taylor was handed a first-team opportunity, but he is surely set to start in goal for the remaining games this season.
The experienced stopper has had to bide his time to make a league appearance for Leeds since signing in the summer, but he now has a chance to show his quality.
Taylor has previously been an excellent performer at this level, but he will need to prove that he hasn’t lost any match-sharpness.
The 34-year-old had not featured in a league match since 2013, prior to playing against Charlton last weekend, but the hope is that he will not be too rusty and can show that he still has the class required to play a more regular role next term.
Brian Montenegro
With Mirco Antenucci and Souleymane Doukara both set for a spell on the sidelines, Redfearn’s attacking options are more limited and Montenegro may finally get his opportunity up front.
The Paraguayan has only had five chances to impress previously, with most of his appearances coming off the substitutes’ bench, but Redfearn could benefit from testing him in the team before the end of the season.
Montenegro scored a hat-trick for Leeds’ development side yesterday and he should be full of confidence if called up to the senior team.
Liam Cooper
Cooper had to take a backseat role at the start of the year, when Bellusci and Bamba appeared to be Redfearn’s first-choice central defensive pairing, but he has the chance to show his quality now.
Cooper has had a good first season at Leeds, but he can really establish his place in the starting line-up for next season with Bellusci out.
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