Leeds United have posted their weekly training video ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s clash against Ipswich Town at Elland Road – and there is one key player surprisingly absent from the session.
Leeds will be without Stuart Dallas, Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram for the clash. Byram is seen at the start of the video in the boot room, perhaps about to embark on individual training as he recovers.
The versatile defender is currently out after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over Blackburn. Djed Spence has since deputised on the left side of defence. Junior Firpo is back, and set to be involved.
Shackleton is missing, with the Leeds academy product nursing a glute issue. He is not seen throughout the whole video – and another player was also absent. In the form, of veteran defender Luke Ayling.
The 32-year-old is not in the six-minute video, on LUTV. It could be for any one of a number of reasons. Ayling may not be available, after being on the bench in the last two games vs Sunderland and Coventry.
Luke Ayling absent from Leeds training video ahead of Ipswich
Darko Gyabi and Leo Hjelde were also not seen, though their lack of first-team action is the reason for that. Mateo Joseph, Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Cresswell were in the session, after struggling for minutes.
Ian Poveda is also back and looked his smiley self, after winning his first two caps for Colombia during the last fortnight – in wins over Venezuela and Mexico. It looks as if Ayling could be a doubt on Saturday.
Frustrating for Daniel Farke, who already has a number of full-back options on the sidelines. Archie Gray and Spence will surely start, but any cover for the duo is now missing. Ilia Gruev can play left-back.
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