OPINION
The writing is on the wall for the Leeds United career of Stuart Dallas.
Occasionally used by the two previous managers last season, the Northern Ireland international has been stuck on the fringes under Marcelo Bielsa.
A slew of injuries to key players, notably Kemar Roofe, Pablo Hernandez, Patrick Bamford and Gaetano Berardi, has not offered any salvation for Dallas.
He has not started any of Leeds’ 11 league matches this season, with his only start under Bielsa coming in the League Cup when most of the regulars were rested.
Even Hernandez and Roofe’s injuries, not to mention some seriously mediocre form from Ezgjan Alioski, has not paved the way for a recall for the winger.
Dallas replaced Douglas on the left side of defence for the last eight minutes of Leeds’ 1-0 win at Hull on Tuesday night but Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay does not expect him to start in that position against Brentford even if the former Wolves man misses out through injury.
obviously Dallas is an option too but Bielsa said last night that Dallas is better suited to the right hand side and felt Leeds lost their balance in the last 10 mins.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 3, 2018
Given that Bielsa has not dropped a single player this season in the club’s league campaign, with players omitted only due to injury, there is little chance of Dallas suddenly getting much game time.
Leeds are playing well and securing enough points to remain at the Championship summit.
Bielsa trusts those under his command and clearly sees Dallas, who has chalked up 123 appearances since joining from Brentford three years ago, as merely a useful squad man.
The 27-year-old is at a stage in his career when he needs to be playing week in, week out.
Dallas should look to find a new club in the January window.