Senior Leeds ace given international call-up, likely to anger Garry Monk

By Will Butcher

Leeds ace Stuart Dallas has been called up by Northern Ireland to face Azerbaijan and Croatia, despite nursing a thigh injury.

The former Brentford winger has failed to feature for the Yorkshire giants since the last international break, where he picked up the muscle problem.

Manager Garry Monk revealed to the media before Leeds' 2-0 win against Burton on Saturday that he expected Dallas to return after the international break, which will also see Dallas miss Saturday's clash against Norwich City.

However, Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has risked his relationship with Monk by selecting Dallas for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, after the squad was revealed on their official Twitter account.

Dallas, 25, picked up the injury during Northern Ireland's convincing 4-0 win over European minnows San Marino.

The knock has seen him miss five of Leeds' league and cup encounters, as they continue their rise from the bottom of the table to just one point off the Championship play-offs.

Kemar Roofe has been deputising on the left side of Leeds attack, and has been gradually impressing fans following his £3million move from Oxford United.

Dallas, who has been selected alongside the likes of Will Grigg, Jonny Evans and Paddy McNair, is now expected to feature for his country to the likely dismay of Monk.

In other Leeds news, Gordon Strachan has revealed what he made happen at Elland Road.