Ayling could make comeback for Leeds Under-23s today after update – Mills
Danny Mills has suggested Luke Ayling could return to action for Leeds United Under-23s on Friday afternoon.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Whites and England defender insisted Marcelo Bielsa will not risk Ayling in the first team until he is “100 per cent” fit.
The right-back has not featured for Leeds’ senior side since being forced off with a knee injury in their draw with Newcastle United in September.
Leeds Live report Bielsa’s latest update on his fitness last month suggests he could be back in contention for this weekend’s game against Tottenham.
Leeds Under-23s face Chelsea in Premier League 2 on Friday afternoon at Thorp Arch.
Bielsa is renowned for reintegrating injured players via the Under-23s team.
“We all know what Bielsa is like and the exceptional levels of fitness and standards that he expects,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“There’s a good chance that players like Ayling will need a couple of weeks training and an Under-23s game here or there just to get up to speed.
“We know the demands that Bielsa puts on players and he won’t risk them unless they are 100 per cent ready to play.”
Ayling started all 38 of Leeds’ Premier League games last season as they finished in the top half.
The 30-year-old picked up where he left off at the beginning of this campaign before his knee injury.
Leeds are on their best run of the season so far having avoided defeat in their last three Premier League games.
In other news, an in-form Leeds United star has been “100 per cent” tipped to be axed v Spurs after a source’s update.