Phil Hay is expecting Sam Byram to return to Leeds United’s starting XI against Watford this afternoon.
Hay was speaking on the latest episode of the Square Ball Podcast, where he discussed where Daniel Farke could make changes to his side from the 0-0 draw at Hull City.
Left-back certainly feels like an obvious area of change following Jamie Shackleton’s difficult evening at the MKM Stadium on Wednesday night.
After impressing in that position against Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday before the break, Shackleton returned for the game at Hull but did not enjoy anywhere near as much success.
Byram had started the 3-0 win at Millwall just over two days earlier, but made it clear to Farke before the game against the Tigers that he did not feel ready to play another 90 minutes.
Hay expects Byram to return for Leeds
However, after playing just a handful of minutes in midweek, Hay is now expecting Byram to return to the starting XI and make a big ‘difference’.
He said: “I think Byram comes back in. I am keen to see the difference he makes, with Shackleton it feels like you’ve got a steady pair of hands there but not an obvious answer. That’s no criticism of Shackleton, he’s not grown up in an any way as a left-back.
“Byram comes back in, I think he will make a difference again and the more Byram can play, the better Leeds will be.”
Shackleton can do a job here and there in that position but there is no doubt Leeds are a better team with Byram starting at left-back.
The 30-year-old was absolutely exceptional in the win at Millwall and had his body been ready to play on Wednesday, he certainly would’ve started again.
Thankfully it appears as though he is fit enough to start against Watford, though, and he should make a real difference to Leeds’ defence.
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