Djed Spence is ruled out for Leeds United’s match against Middlesbrough, but Archie Gray could be rested.
According to Leeds-Live, Djed Spence isn’t fit enough to start for Leeds United against Middlesbrough, but Archie Gray could be rested.
The Whites claimed all three points in midweek with a dominant 3-1 win over Swansea, with Spence named on the bench and Gray starting at right-back once more.
Spence did not come off the bench, but he has been training for weeks, which suggests he could be ready to play. However, according to a new report (1 December), he is not yet ready, and Daniel Farke may still rest 17-year-old Gray to manage his workload.
“Djed Spence probably isn’t fit enough to make a start, but he may well get some minutes as he makes his long-awaited return from injury,” they wrote in their article.
“Meanwhile, Archie Gray’s minutes must continue to be a focus and if Farke sees an opportunity to rest him, it could open the door for either Luke Ayling or Jamie Shackleton.”
Depth
Do you realize how fantastic it is to have such fantastic squad depth that both Djed Spence and Archie Gray could sit out and we wouldn’t be significantly weaker at right-back?
Jamie Shackleton and Luke Ayling are also fit and available, and if the worst happens, Charlie Cresswell could always fill in if necessary.
It was one of the reasons Daniel Farke was so determined to keep players at the club during the summer transfer window, and it has proven to be a wise decision.
We know the manager doesn’t like to rotate too much, so many changes for one game are unlikely, especially after how it went the last time he did it, but this is encouraging.
Spence does not need to be rushed back, and Gray must be properly managed. It would be foolish not to use Ayling and Shackleton at some point because they are trusted members of the squad.
In other Leeds news, an in-form duo will be dropped for the Whites’ match against Middlesbrough.
