Stuart Dallas will play at left-back for Leeds United in their Championship clash against Derby County, according to a reliable journalist.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay claimed on his personal Twitter account that the winger will “definitely” start in defence for United after manager Thomas Christiansen named a starting XI with just three orthodox defenders.
Definitely four at the back, which must mean Dallas at LB. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) October 31, 2017
Leeds fans speculated that Christiansen might play a three-man defence made up on Luke Ayling, Pontus Jansson and Matthew Pennington after the team was announced an hour before kick-off.
But Hay claimed that will not be the case as Leeds attempt to arrest a wretched run of five defeats from their last six matches in all competitions.
United have made three changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Sheffield United last Friday, with Dallas, Kemar Roofe and Pontus Jansson replacing Vurnon Anita, the injured Liam Cooper and the suspended Kalvin Phillips.
OPINION
The selection of winger Dallas at left-back against Derby is a shock move. Some might even go as far as to call it a foolhardy one given that the opponents are an experienced Championship side placed seventh in the table. With Gaetano Berardi suspended and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson injured, Christiansen has demoted Anita and called up an attacker who is more used to trying to create goals rather than stop them.