Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy is in line to make his return to the first team after playing regularly for the under-23s this season as the man leading the way to fill the defensive void in the senior side, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The newspaper claim on their website that the 6’4″ colossus (source: Transfermarkt), who has only been seen once this season by the fans at Elland Road in a League Cup outing, is the likely first choice to be called upon by manager Marcelo Bielsa with the club’s injury woes mounting up.
The likes of Gaetano Berardi and Luke Ayling are out for the long term, leaving Bielsa with limited options to call upon, and having led the reserve side this campaign, with numerous first team appearances last season, it is stated the 22-year-old is in line to return should circumstances require.
Opinion
The jury is still out on Shaughnessy, whose bright start to last season ended with a disappointing second half of the campaign, evidently not favoured by Paul Heckingbottom. Marcelo Bielsa does not look to have too much faith in the powerful defender with just two unused substitute outings in the Championship this season but it seems as though he could make a return to the bench should the need arise. He is not a bad defender, just inexperienced, and with a push for promotion taking place at Elland Road the Whites do not want take any unnecessary gambles on their team selection – meaning only a serious injury blow is likely to see the centre back actually pick up any senior action. Still, it is good to hear he is not being forgotten by the club and that he is still in the running to play under Bielsa – even if that means sitting behind a whole host of talent to get his chance.