Luke Ayling will be sidelined for two months after suffering a knee injury against Nottingham Forest, and Leeds must work out a way to combat that.
Regarded as one of the club’s most important players, Marcelo Bielsa must choose the best possible option available to him. Here are five options:
Gaetano Berardi
The most obvious choice, Berardi is experienced and right-back is his natural position. The Switzerland international is currently working his way back to full fitness.
Jamie Shackleton
A product from Thorp Arch, Shackleton continues to impress when given a chance – most notably from the bench against Swansea City. Good going forward, but question marks in defence.
MORE LEEDS STORIES
Three-man defence?
Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson continue to excel at the back, but Kalvin Phillips has shown he can play in the same position. Instead of using full-backs, why not switch to a three-man defence?
Free agent right-backs?
There are plenty on the market. Former England international Glen Johnson remains without a club, while ex-Newcastle United star Jesus Gamez is also a free agent.
Dallas and Alioski?
This should be considered last resort by Bielsa. Both left-footed, the duo can operate at full-back. But Alioski is much better going forward and Dallas is becoming a utility option – it remains an option.
