David Woods

Tue 10 March 2020 18:00, UK

Phil Hay has revealed that there have been discussions about whether Kiko Casilla should return to Spain imminently while Leeds United decide what their next move is.

Casilla was banned for eight games after being found guilty of racist abuse in the game against Charlton in September.

Casilla can still train with the club and, according to Hay, was actively doing this last week.

However, Leeds could be set to take further action against the player and Hay has said he is “struggling” to see a future for the goalkeeper at Elland Road.

Writing on a Q&A on the Athletic on Tuesday, Hay wrote, “As of last week he was training at Thorp Arch but there was some discussion about whether he would go home for a period while Leeds consider their next move for him.

“There’s obviously a case for Leeds to take disciplinary action after the racism verdict. We’ll see what their next move is but I’m struggling to see Casilla having much of a future here.”

Illan Meslier has stepped up to take the gloves from Casilla and hasn’t conceded a goal yet in his two Championship starts.

He will be tested more in the coming weeks and especially in the huge clash against Fulham at Elland Road a week on Wednesday.

However, Casilla is one of the highest-earners at the club and it would be tough to see Leeds wanting to continue paying those sorts of wages if Meslier keeps the number one spot.

Added to that, Casilla might not want to stay in England after what’s happened and Leeds could decide to take internal action.

That could be interesting after the club backed him very publically during the trial.

Getting rid of Casilla would surely involve finding a club willing to take him and his wages on.

Terminating his contract could well get messy and may see the player take legal action, although there’s no suggestion Leeds are thinking of this at the moment.

In other Leeds United news, ‘Wow’, ‘Unreal’ – These Leeds fans blown away by ‘sensational’ club update