Phil Hay: Luke Ayling likely to play centrally with Jamie Shackleton at right-back for Leeds
Leeds United talent Jamie Shackleton has been backed to start against Newcastle this evening in the Premier League.
The Whites are without Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk and Robin Koch at St James’ Park, pushing Marcelo Bielsa into a reshuffle.
Phil Hay has been questioned on the starting XI, and his gut feeling is that Luke Ayling will play centrally alongside Liam Cooper.
Writing in an Athletic Q&A this morning, Hay shared how he believes the back four problem will be resolved this evening.
“My gut feeling says Ayling because that’s what Bielsa has always done in the past,” he wrote.
“Plus, he clearly likes the look of Shackleton as a right-back. Cresswell is highly rated but still very raw – although I guess everyone needs their chance eventually. One of a few interesting calls tonight.”
Big chance.
This is the chance that Shackleton has been waiting for in the starting XI in a Premier League clash.
The youngster has come on twice this season already and made the biggest impact against Burnley in that 1-1 draw before the international break.
Shackleton’s pace can be a great weapon going forward on the overload, and he provided the assist for Patrick Bamford’s equaliser at Turf Moor.
Defensively, he can get overwhelmed and lacks in the physicality department, which can be a worry provided he could be against Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Frenchman is one of the best dribblers in the Premier League and it will be critical to double up on the right-hand side and dominate the ball to eliminate that frequent threat.
Shackleton deserves this chance, it is time for him to take it.
In other Leeds United news, Alan Brazil drops major Whites concern live on talkSPORT, Ray Parlour makes prediction