COMMENT

Anyone who knows a thing or two about football will tell you injuries are part and parcel of the game and Leeds United have been handed one of the cruellest blows of the season. Wednesday saw

the Whites confirm that defensive stalwart Luke Ayling, an ever present in the club's starting XI for their Championship campaign, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury suffered on New Year's Day

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It is a devastating blow for both the club and the player, who had impressed at the back to help his side compete for a play-off spot in what has already been a roller-coaster of a season for the Leeds faithful. Instead of battling it out on the pitch, he will be watching one or more of his teammates take on his role at right back trying to emulate the 26-year-old's consistent performances. So who needs to step up to the plate in light of Ayling's layoff? Here,

Football Insider 

picks out a trio of stars who must lift their performances in his absence, including one man who has yet to impress during his time at Elland Road.

Click below to see the first Leeds man who needs to step up in Ayling's absence

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Gaetano Berardi

Fresh from scoring his very first goal for Leeds in the club's shock 2-1 defeat against Newport County, the Swiss defender is now the club's only fit right back, despite having filled in on the left for the entirety of the campaign. As a result, Thomas Christiansen should be switching him back over on to the other flank to replace Ayling, and it is about time he lifts his game to reflect the responsibility on his shoulders. He was a weakness in the back line when playing at left back, but on the right he can rebuild his reputation and demonstrate the form which has led to him earning over 100 appearances for the club.

Click below to see the second Leeds man who needs to step up in Ayling's absence

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Vurnon Anita

The man who filled in for Ayling in the defeat to Newport, versatile utility man Anita seems to be a jack of all trades, but the former Newcastle United man is yet to make his mark on the Whites' senior side this season. The 28-year-old has 15 appearances for the Whites this season, the majority coming at left back during the opening stages of the campaign, but he is now another contender for the right back slot. In theory, it would make sense to switch Berardi to right back and Anita to the left, but Christiansen could well keep the Dutchman in place of Ayling. No matter where he plays, he has got to put in higher quality performances than he has shown in the first half of the campaign, as he is yet to convince after his summer move.

Click below to see the third Leeds man who needs to step up in Ayling's absence

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Cameron Borthwick-Jackson

Leeds fans would have been hoping for more than just six appearances from the Manchester United loanee when he arrived over the summer, having failed to impress in any of his outings. However, Ayling's injury may well have given him the chance to redeem himself, and he should be banging on Thomas Christiansen's door to be given a chance. He is now one of a small handful of specialist full-backs at the club, and although he has not shown much to convince that he has what it takes to succeed at Elland Road, he can still be an important player come the end of the season. He needs to fight tooth and nail for the left back slot if Berardi is moved over to the right, and with the right attitude, his talent will shine through. In other Leeds United news,

the club are in the hunt to snap up a bargain deal for a top flight international hit man

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