Monk selection dilemma as Leeds team news revealed for clash against Birmingham
By Alex Stevens
Charlie Taylor is in contention to make his long-awaited Leeds return for their Friday night Championship showdown against Birmingham.
Manager Garry Monk revealed on Wednesday afternoon that the club’s senior left-back is fit to play after more than two months on the sidelines with an achilles injury.
Monk explained, as quoted by the official Leeds Twitter account, that Taylor has proved his fitness in training this week and will be available for selection.
The return of Taylor is a major boost for Leeds, as the 23-year-old is considered one of the outstanding players in his position in the league.
He was reportedly the subject of £7million offers from three Premier League clubs in the January transfer window and a report claimed on Wednesday morning that his representatives are convinced that a sensational summer switch to Liverpool could be possible.
But Taylor could still face a major battle to win back his place for the Championship promotion challengers.
Gaetano Berardi has stood in impressively at left-back since mid-December and many fans believe Monk should stick with the Switzerland international for the clash at St Andrews.
Monk has a dilemma over whether to persist with in-form Berardi, who is a right-back by trade, or immediately reinstate the club’s 2015-16 player of the year.
Leeds head to Birmingham aiming to consolidate their place in the play-off positions.
The Yorkshire giants are fourth in the division with a haul of 61 points from 34 matches, eight points clear of Fulham in seventh position.
In other Leeds team news, the club are to pounce and re-sign a 23-year-old after a £10million transfer is all but sealed.
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