Djed Spence’s return to Tottenham from Leeds was questioned by many this week, with the Whites hardly boasting numerous options in defence – but the latest training video says two are fit again.
Spence, 23, returned to Spurs this week in a decision supposedly made by Leeds. Just seven games into a season-long loan that had included a three-month lay-off with injury. The decision, questioned.
Especially, with Sam Byram currently unavailable and Pascal Struijk struggling to recover from injury. It was believed that Luke Ayling and Jamie Shackleton could also be missing for Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
Ayling has failed to play a single minute of any of the last 11 Championship games. Only making the squad on four occasions – though injury has played its part. Shackleton had also had injury issues.
But the latest training video on LUTV shows Ayling and Shackleton in training ahead of this Sunday’s clash at Peterborough. Perhaps, their returns have helped Daniel Farke decide to cancel Spence’s loan.
Jamie Shackleton and Luke Ayling in Leeds United training
It is a huge boost to have these two back, not only because of Spence’s exit, but because Leeds are lacking in the full-back positions. Farke even admitted he was worried about the lack of depth on Friday.
It might be that both players are given game time on Sunday, if fit enough, in order to give Archie Gray a rest at right-back. Maybe, with Junior Firpo only back here and there, Shackleton could also play.
But good news regardless, even if they do not play on Sunday. Having the duo back eases the lack of depth quite considerably, going into the rest of the month and the second half of the campaign.
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