Luke Ayling nowhere to be seen, Jamie Shackleton with squad for Leeds United v Middlesbrough

Luke Ayling has been left out of the Leeds squad to face Middlesbrough at Elland Road in the Championship this afternoon, according to Beren Cross.

Writing on his personal Twitter account (2 December), the reliable journalist reports that the veteran right-back has once again not been named in the match day squad by Daniel Farke.

Ayling was left out in midweek in the win over Swansea with Farke admitting it was one of the hardest decisions of his managerial career, but he has done it again.

"[Jamie] Shackleton with the group," he wrote. "Still no [Luke] Ayling."

Wow

It's a big call from Farke, but it shows the strength in depth that we have now that Ayling can't even make it into the match day squad.

Injuries have been an issue this season, especially in defence but right now we're in a really good place. Only Junior Firpo is injured as far as we know, and that means Farke has an abundance of options.

Since transforming Jamie Shackleton and Archie Gray into options at full-back too, it means Ayling has become far less needed in the squad and his performances when he has played haven't meant that he is indispensable.

It seems the way that he handled being left out in the week has made it easier for Farke to do it again, and it could become a regular thing going forward.

Ayling is out of contract in the summer and with the January transfer window approaching, it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him leave at some point in 2024 as he enters the twilight of his career.

In other Leeds news, ace not fit enough to start v Middlesbrough as in-form ace could be rested.