Leeds United have received a massive boost for the play-offs with Stuart Dallas expected to be fit after picking up a knock in Sunday’s draw with Aston Villa according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Dallas was replaced at half-time with a knee injury and it was first feared to be a serious problem. Early tests have shown that the Northern Irish defender has escaped with minor bruising.
Phil Hay confirmed on Monday evening that Dallas will be a major doubt for the final game of the season at Ipswich on Sunday but should be fit for the start of the play-offs next week.
Leeds have had an injury ridden season with Dallas, 28, being the fourth player to be used at left-back for the Whites.
OPINION
This is great news for Leeds fans, what with the constant headache that has been finding a consistent left-back has hampered their attacking football throughout the season. The potential inclusion of Stuart Dallas would boost Leeds’ ability to move the ball quicker and create more chances. The Whites won’t do much defending in their games with their possession based style meaning a majority of the game is spent with the ball. Gaetano Berardi has slotted in at left-back and has struggled with the attacking aspect of the game being a right footed player whose main focus is on his defending. If Dallas is in the side, the threat is much higher from a left footed wing back who will love to overlap and cause problems for any defence they could potentially come up against. Missing the Ipswich game is not too much of an issue as that is not a difficult fixture for Leeds, the only problem Dallas could face is that of momentum with Marcelo Bielsa not one to change his team frequently. This will most likely lead to Berardi given the nod by Bielsa when the play-offs start.