Whelan fears Ayling may have knee ligament injury in potentially crushing Leeds blow
Noel Whelan fears Leeds United defender Luke Ayling may have suffered a knee ligament injury.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-United striker is concerned the club have been hit by a devastating new injury blow.
Ayling, 30, joined the growing Leeds casualty list when he limped off at St James' Park in Friday night's 1-1 draw at Newcastle United with a minute of normal time running.
Marcelo Bielsa is quoted by new Football Insider injury expert Ben Dinnery as saying he could be about to lose a fourth option at centre-back.
Leeds are already without Diego Llorente and Robin Koch due to injury while Pascal Struijk has two matches to serve on a three-game suspension.
"We are already struggling with centre-halves," Whelan told Football Insider's Adam Williams.
"Ayling's didn't look the worst to me at the time. He just came in and blocked a challenge, that dangling leg just got caught.
"It looked like he may have tweaked a knee ligament, which would be the last thing Bielsa needs. They will have a look and hopefully it isn't too bad."
Ayling has been a nailed-on starter when fit throughout Bielsa's reign at Leeds, mainly in his normal right-back position.
He slotted in to centre-back alongside Liam Cooper at Newcastle in what was his fifth start out of five in Premier League matches this season.
Ayling also played at centre-back in the EFL Cup win against Crewe Alexandra last month.