Jesse Marsch admits Leeds United facing ‘dilemma’ after Luke Ayling’s suspension
Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has admitted that the absence of full-back Luke Ayling for the remaining matches of the campaign is a ‘big dilemma’ for the club.
The Whites are having a tough campaign where they are involved in an intense relegation battle and are currently placed in the 18th position with 34 points, equal with 17th-placed Burnley but with an inferior goal difference.
The 30-year-old received a straight red in the 27th minute during the match against Arenal on Sunday for a challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Talking after the match via Leeds Live, Marsch revealed his coaching staff will look to find the best possible replacement for the veteran right-back, including the possibility of playing Raphinha in that position.
“We’ll evaluate exactly what we need to do in the next three days, over the next three matches,” said the 48-year-old.
“It does present us with a dilemma. We have Jamie Shackleton to play this position. We can play Raphinha, we can try a centre-back outside at the full-back position.
“We have some options, but we’ve got to figure out what’s the best scenario to get us through the next three matches.”
Big loss.
Losing Ayling would be a big loss for Leeds who are going through a difficult campaign where things are going from bad to worse.
The Whites lost their captain and star centre-back, Liam Cooper, due to a hamstring injury and it is still not clear whether he will be able to return before the end of the season.
On top of that, they will now be without their veteran full-back in the remaining matches of the campaign who will be out due to suspension.
The 30-year-old has been with the club since the start of the 2016 campaign when he moved from Bristol City in a deal worth £783,000.
Since then, he has been a big part of Leeds’ revivals and has played 220 matches across all competitions, scoring eight times and providing 18 assists.
In the ongoing campaign, the former Arsenal U18 defender represented the Peacocks in 26 matches in the Premier League where he scored a couple of goals and provided a couple of assists as well.
In other Leeds United news, a key trio are expected to leave in summer if the Whites are relegated in a major £100million plus windfall according to a report