Graham Smyth shares new twist in Luke Ayling’s Leeds United farewell after January transfer
Luke Ayling will not attend the clash between Leeds United and Preston North End to bid farewell to the Elland Road crowd, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on Wednesday (17 January) that the 32-year-old will be training with Middlesbrough on Sunday (January )when the Whites host Ryan Lowe’s side so will be unable to attend.
Leeds had extended the invite to the right-back to return to Elland Road to bid farewell to the Whites’ fanbase after he completed a loan switch to the Riverside for the remainder of the campaign, likely bringing an end to his eight-year stay.
The Whites will leave the invite open however as they hope to welcome Ayling back in the near future and World Darts Champion and Leeds United fan Luke Humphries will instead be in attendance for Sunday’s match.
Hit a snag
Leeds United had hoped to give Ayling a proper farewell after his slightly sudden move to the Riverside, but it looks as though they will have to wait before giving “Bill” the send-off which he deserves.
Although it’s the early stages, this move looks as though it was the right call for all parties. Ayling has hit the ground running under Michael Carrick while Leeds picked up an impressive three points as they breezed past Cardiff City.
Between Archie Gray, Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram, Daniel Farke has enough options to ensure that the Whites won’t miss the 32-year-old too much in the second half of the season and there is even a chance that a new defender could arrive before the end of the window.
Hopefully, it won’t be too long before Ayling makes his return to Elland Road and the Leeds supporters can give him the proper goodbye that he deserves as a modern-day Whites legend.
In other Leeds United news, there will have to be a change of opinion at Elland Road for Charlie Cresswell to leave on loan this January
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