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‘I’d be comfortable’: 24-year-old Leeds man tells Marsch he’ll play at right-back with Ayling out
Leeds United forward Dan James says he’d play right back for Jesse Marsch with Luke Ayling now suspended for the season.
Ayling got himself sent off for a reckless challenge with Leeds 2-0 down against Arsenal on Sunday and his campaign is now over.
It is now up to James’ and the rest of Ayling’s Leeds teammates to ensure that the Englishman does not return to action as a Championship player next term.
Speaking to , James said that he would be happy to play at right-back if called upon, with a huge game against Chelsea to come tomorrow night.
James says he’d play right back
“We’ll see Wednesday night,” said James when asked about a potential positional switch.
“I’m not sure what the manager is thinking but, yeah, it’s somewhere I think I’d be comfortable and I’m happy slotting in anywhere.
“I’ve just got to be super ready.”
Patrick Bamford’s injury absence has meant that James has led the line at times under both Jesse Marsch and Marcelo Bielsa since arriving from Manchester United.
James has told the press that he retains total faith in Marsch’s methods despite the dire relegation danger Leeds find themselves in.
Playing up front is not his natural role but he has given it everything, running tirelessly and pressing defenders, even if he lacks the physical stature to hold the ball up at times.
He would do exactly the same at right back, where his rapid pace would be a huge asset, and he could overlap Raphinha down the right hand side.
Chelsea surely have one eye on the FA Cup final on Saturday and that should give Leeds a chance to get a result which could be crucial in their survival bid, but Ayling’s absence is a real head-scratcher for Marsch and he needs to find a solution.