Djed Spence not fit enough to start for Leeds United v Middlesbrough, Archie Gray could be rested
Djed Spence isn’t fit enough to start for Leeds United yet in the clash against Middlesbrough, but Archie Gray could still be rested according to Leeds-Live.
The Whites claimed all three points with a dominant 3-1 win over Swansea in midweek with Spence named on the bench and Gray starting at right-back once again.
Spence didn’t get off the bench but has been training for weeks which suggests he could be ready to play, but according to a new report (1 December) he’s not yet ready but Daniel Farke could still look to rest 17-year-old Gray to manage his workload.
“Djed Spence probably isn’t fit enough to make a start, but he may well get some minutes as he makes his long-awaited return from injury,” they wrote.
“Meanwhile, Archie Gray’s minutes must continue to be a focus and if Farke sees an opportunity to rest him, it could open the door for either Luke Ayling or Jamie Shackleton.”
Depth
Do you know how great it is to have such fantastic squad depth available that both Djed Spence and Archie Gray may not play and we wouldn’t be considerably weaker at right-back.
Jamie Shackleton and Luke Ayling are also both fit and available and if worst comes to worst then the likes of Charlie Cresswell could always fill in too if they needed too.
It was part of the reason why Daniel Farke was so intent on keeping players at the club during the summer transfer window, and it’s shown to be a brilliant decision.
We know that the manager doesn’t like to rotate too much so lots of changes for one game are unlikely, especially after how it went the last time he did it, but this is positive to see.
Spence doesn’t need to be rushed back and Gray needs to be managed properly. Ayling and Shackleton are trusted members of the squad, so it would be silly not to use them at some point.
In other Leeds news, in-form duo to be axed for Whites clash v Middlesbrough.