Following Leeds United’s score draw with Nottingham Forest last Saturday at Elland Road, whilst there were positives to take from the game a big disappointment was seeing Luke Ayling limp off with injury inside of the opening 30 minutes of the tie.
The 27-year-old was replaced by Tom Pearce in the 25th minute of the first half and he has subsequently been ruled out for the next two months with scans and assessments showing he has suffered medial collateral ligament damage.
It’s obviously another blow for Leeds on an injury front in the campaign of 2018/19 but it could’ve been far worse and he could’ve been looking at a longer spell on the sidelines, so small mercies and all that.
It has led fans to some debate about who should replace him as there are a number of potential options. Gaetano Berardi, Jamie Shackleton and Stuart Dallas all featured but for a number of fans Lewie Coyle was the go-to.
Lewie Coyle????that’s a great shout… We should never of sent him out on loan #MOT
— Connor Mahoney! WAFLL! WACCOE! ALAW! MOT! (@LufcConnor_) October 29, 2018
Time for @LewieCoyle to be brought home
— George28265 (@george28265) October 29, 2018
Always rated Lewie Coyle. Better than Berardi, Shackleton and Dallas at right back.
— Geir Kristoffersen (@geirnarvik) October 28, 2018
He’s only on loan until January this time.. #lufc
— Archie (@ArchieAndrews93) October 27, 2018
Games like today make you wonder why @LewieCoyle went out on loan. A quality recognised right back who can attack as well as defend was seriously needed after Ayling’s injury. #lufc
— James Glasspoole (@JamesGlasspoole) October 27, 2018
Recall Coyle. No brainer #LUFC
— Paul Wilson (@paulwillyping) October 27, 2018
These things happen, but never did understand the logic of sending Coyle out on loan. Fingers crossed no more injuries for a while as we do seem to have suffered a daft amount already.
— David Butler (@Boolay75) October 29, 2018
Sadly the 23-year-old is out on loan at Fleetwood Town as he continues his development under Joey Barton and the quickest we can get him back owing to loan changes would be at some point in the January window – although that should be when his loan ends anyway.
Ayling will be well on his way to a return by then though. Given the other options available, whilst I can understand the sentiment about the loan, it’s far better Coyle gets good game time when you take the long-term view.