Djed Spence’s Leeds United exit on Thursday evening came as a shock to all as the club confirmed that the defender had returned to Tottenham – and Daniel Farke has a decision to make on Sunday.
Spence, 23, had endured a difficult spell to begin with at Leeds. Making his debut in September against Sheffield Wednesday, he picked up an injury in training. It kept him on the sidelines for three months.
Now, after seven games for Leeds, the Whites have decided to cancel his loan at Elland Road. It looks as if Spence will go on loan again but to another club, given he seems out of Ange Postecoglou’s plans.
Leeds do have plenty of options in defence, at full-back. Archie Gray has been excellent on the right, while Junior Firpo is fit again. Sam Byram has another hamstring injury. Luke Ayling has a knee problem.
It is unclear if Ayling will be fit for Sunday when Leeds go to Peterborough United, with Jamie Shackleton also missing. So, ahead of Sunday, Farke had three full-backs to choose from to face Peterborough.
Daniel Farke surely starts Archie Gray with Djed Spence gone
Now, with Spence returning to Spurs, it makes it particularly easy to predict who will be on the right flank. A player that Neil Redfearn recently described as “sensational”, Gray surely starts on the right.
Had Spence remained, it might have been that Gray was given a rest – with Daniel Farke previously discussing Gray’s workload and the player needing time off. But with Spence gone, Gray surely starts.
There might be a number of fringe players that come in – the likes of Ilia Gruev, Ian Poveda, Patrick Bamford, Willy Gnonto and Mateo Joseph. But Gray looks more than likely to retain his starting spot.
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