Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy is set to be handed a short-term lifeline from leaving Elland Road this month despite being primed to join Heart of Midlothian on loan, according to Leeds Live.
The news website claim that the 22-year-old, who stands at a giant 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt) is on the brink of leaving for the Scottish outfit on a temporary move but that Kalvin Phillips’ sending off against Nottingham Forest leaves Bielsa pondering his options at the heart of defence.
It is stated that Shaughnessy is set for a short term lifeline at a potential first team squad place for the FA Cup clash against Queens Park Rangers, despite having fallen down the pecking order at the Whites.
Opinion
Shaughnessy is quite clearly not favoured by Bielsa this season and he needs to be picking regular game time if he is to develop into the sort of player who could have a future at Elland Road. However, with the opportunity to rotate his side after an intense festive period of fixtures, which have taken their toll on the Whites’ squad, the Argentine manager might well feel as though he can throw Shaughnessy in and give his more senior players a break from playing before shipping him off north of the border for the rest of the campaign. The player and manager will both be hoping that this temporary spell away from the club can be the making of him, after having made a number of appearances for the first team last season. He might have fallen down the pecking order but it does not appear his career is dead – yet. He has plenty to learn and will have to learn fast if he wants to forge a future with Leeds.