Graham Smyth shares ‘huge risk’ for Leeds United as Luke Ayling exit edges closer
Graham Smyth has urged Leeds United to add to their squad as defender Luke Ayling is edging closer to an Elland Road exit.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday (10 January), the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist questioned why the Whites would take a “huge risk” by not bringing in another option at fullback after The Athletic reported that the 32-year-old Ayling is set to undergo a medical at Middlesbrough on Wednesday.
He said Daniel Farke had five right-back options at the start of January, but he’s now down to two injury-risk utility men in Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton as well as 17-year-old Archie Gray.
“Entered the month with five right-back options (one of them an injury-risk left-back signing, one a 17yo CM, another an injury-risk utility man) and now down to those listed above,” said Smyth.
“Leeds might be okay at full-back, it might be enough. But why take a huge risk? Must add now.”
Not enough
The options Leeds look set to have at their disposal simply don’t look strong enough heading into the second half of the season as they aim to fight for promotion.
While Gray has done a fine job at right-back, it has to be remembered that he is still playing out of position and you never what could happen over the next few months.
Shackleton and Byram can both do a job in either fullback position, but as Smyth correctly notes, the pair have had to contend with injuries in recent years and can’t be completely relied upon.
With Ayling set to leave for Championship rivals Middlesbrough and Djed Spence being sent back to Tottenham, another option is certainly needed at right-back.
But Farke does have three more weeks to play with, so you would think he will be trying to get reinforcements through the door in that area before February comes around.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are eyeing a Premier League defender as Farke is set for a transfer blitz.