OPINION
Leeds United fans have been given a small boost in hope ahead of their play-off fixture with Derby as Tom Lawrence may be facing a retrospective ban for diving against West Brom.
According to Sky Sports, the Derby attacker could be facing a ban, resulting in him having to watch the play-off semi-final fixture against Leeds from the sidelines.
The 25-year old would be receiving the ban for ‘successful deception of a match official’ should it be decided upon, which would be fitting after what happened to Leeds forward Patrick Bamford against Aston Villa.
This would mean that both sides had one of their important players missing due to diving related incidents, which is hardly a great advert for Championship football.
On the other hand, the Leeds faithful will argue that it would only be fair for Lawrence to receive the ban, considering the similarities in nature between his and Bamford’s situations.
Although it is never ideal for a player to be banned from playing in a fixture for an incident like this, especially games with as much importance as the play-offs, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Derby forward were to be banned and miss these crucial fixtures.
Marcelo Bielsa along with many Leeds fans will be hoping that the ban comes to fruition, as it will arguably give them a better chance of progressing if their opponents are without one of their key members.
Lawrence has scored seven goals and registered four assists in 34 outings for Derby this season and they will be worse off if they can’t use him against Leeds.
Many Leeds fans no doubt know this and will be licking their lips over Sky’s report on the potential ban looming over him as a result.
It would make for an interesting story if Lawrence was to be found guilty of the charges by the FA, and it may be that the Derby attacker will have to watch the two-legged tie from the stands alongside Leeds striker Patrick Bamford.