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Leif Davis could be contender for first Leeds start since 2018 in coming weeks
Marcelo Bielsa was forced to make a change to his starting lineup during the warm-up ahead of Leeds United’s clash with Wolves on Monday.
Liam Cooper was taken out of the side due to a recurrence of his groin injury. And that saw Pascal Struijk promoted to the side.
It is interesting therefore, that Leeds’s next game sees them travel to Villa Park – given what happened the last time the Whites took on the Villans away from home.
That clash took place in 2018 when both sides were in the Championship. It was an incredibly memorable occasion, with Leeds coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2. But it is also a game that will live long in the memory of Leif Davis for another reason.
Davis was just a few months into his Leeds career heading into the clash. Nevertheless, he had obviously managed to impress Bielsa enough as he looked set for a spot on the bench.
However, much like Monday, Bielsa was forced into a last-minute change. Barry Douglas was taken ill ahead of the game, and that meant that Davis came into start.
It proved to be an incredibly promising display from the then-18-year-old. But fast forward almost two years, Davis is still awaiting the chance to make his second league start for the club.
There have been glimpses of his potential. And it said a lot that he was brought on in Leeds’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City before the international break.
So perhaps, ahead of Leeds’s return to Villa Park, there is a chance that he may soon get the chance to make only his second league start for the Whites.
Leeds’s injury list is growing at alarming rate
Leeds are nervously awaiting an update on Cooper’s fitness. Meanwhile, Diego Llorente picked up an injury on international duty.
Struijk is also a concern for supporters. The Dutchman had to be replaced in the latter stages against Wolves.
And of course, that Kalvin Phillips will be out for up to six weeks.
There looks to be a real opportunity therefore, for at least one youngster to come in in the meantime.
And given Davis did play against City fairly recently, he is surely in contention. He can play at left-back or at centre-back. He also provides plenty of pace.
That versatility could be particularly important against Villa. With so many key men looking doubtful for the game, Bielsa will surely be wary of picking defensive players who cannot be moved around if the system needs changing.
So perhaps there is a chance that Davis could, once again, be the man to come to Leeds’s rescue at Villa Park.