Daniel Farke needs to recall 22-year-old Leeds youngster from loan after transfer developments

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Luke Ayling’s exit from Leeds United is not only one that pulls at the heart strings, but it leaves us in a precarious situation on the right side of the defence – and Daniel Farke has a big decision to make.

Ayling is expected to join Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season. He has not played a single minute in the last 11 Championship games, only getting 12 minutes against Peterborough in The FA Cup.

His imminent exit comes after Djed Spence returned to Tottenham. Yes, it saves a loan space, but it now means Leeds are lacking at full-back. Two injury prone options on the left, two midfielders on the right.

Jamie Shackleton and Archie Gray are the right-back options but both would prefer to play in midfield. Sam Byram and Junior Firpo are regularly in the treatment room. Leeds need more than one full-back.

They need a new option on both side. Whether The 49ers are willing to splash the cash, or at least spend the necessary funds to sign a right-back and a left-back on loan, is unclear after a big summer.

Leeds could already have the perfect Luke Ayling replacement

Financial Fairplay might even come into question. It might be that Leeds need to look into the depths of their own squad and find the answer. That might come in the form of the “outstanding” Cody Drameh.

Drameh, 22, has starred on loan over the last three seasons. Player of the Season at Cardiff, promotion with Luton, starring in a struggling Birmingham side. He is still a Leeds player, leaving us in the summer.

It comes after coming on in the 4-3 win over Ipswich but being subbed off soon after by Farke. Yes, he made a mistake in that game – but Farke hardly gave him much of a chance to show why he is a talent.

At this level, Drameh has proven year after year that he is a quality option in defence. Naturally a right-back but also able to play on the left. Leeds could have the option to recall the England U20 defender.

It is unclear what the plan is with Drameh and he might well have played his last game for Leeds. But if the Whites need a Championship-quality right-back, they have one – in the form of on-loan Drameh.