Phil Hay: Luke Ayling or Charlie Cresswell only Leeds options alongside Liam Cooper
Leeds United are set for yet another defensive crisis ahead of their Premier League clash against Newcastle on Friday evening.
Diego Llorente and Robin Koch appear to be injured, with Pascal Struijk still suspended after losing his appeal on Wednesday.
Phil Hay has shared that Luke Ayling and Charlie Cresswell appear to be the only options available for the trip to St James’ Park alongside Liam Cooper.
Speaking on the Phil Hay Show, the journalist
“My biggest issue this weekend is centre-back,” he said.
“It’s fine moving Luke Ayling across, but behind him, you have Charlie Cresswell, a really good under-23.
“Behind that, there is not a lot to choose from. It’s funny how it all seems to be the centre of the defence, that seems to be the area that always gets peppered with injuries.”
Here we go, again.
We are getting a real sense of De ja Vu with this one.
Leeds finally welcomed back Llorente last season at St James’ Park, but he only lasted a matter of minutes before limping off.
It looks as though the Spaniard won’t even get that opportunity this season, and we are stuck with a big problem.
With the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin in the final third, he could have a field day if Ayling is pushed inside and he has similar struggles as he has had in the past in that position.
Fulham in the Carabao Cup is after this one, and it looks as though Cresswell is more likely to feature in that one rather than getting his Premier League debut.
In other Leeds United news, This is how Diego Llorente is acting at Thorp Arch after Monday assessment – Patrick Bamford