---
title: "Leeds: Ayling should return vs Watford"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-ayling-should-return-vs-watford/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-09-29T16:40:51Z"
modified: "2021-09-29T16:40:51Z"
---

# Leeds: Ayling should return vs Watford

**Leeds right-back Luke Ayling should be fit to return against Watford at Elland Road this weekend, according to journalist [Joe Urquhart](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-uniteds-injury-list-in-full-as-marcelo-bielsa-waits-on-seven-players-ahead-of-watford-clash-3399163).**

### The Lowdown: Injury woes

Leeds have been down to the bare bones in recent weeks, with Ayling going off against [Newcastle](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-have-suffered-big-blow-after-ayling-latest-campbell/) earlier this month.

Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Patrick Bamford are also [sidelined](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-uniteds-injury-list-in-full-as-marcelo-bielsa-waits-on-seven-players-ahead-of-watford-clash-3399163), while Pascal Struijk has been out due to [suspension](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-uniteds-injury-list-in-full-as-marcelo-bielsa-waits-on-seven-players-ahead-of-watford-clash-3399163).

Raphinha has been managing a [hip](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-star-raphinha-issues-message-and-sets-target-after-difficulty-led-to-substitution-against-west-ham-3396966) problem in the last two fixtures, but it seems as if the Whites could have Ayling back in contention on Saturday.

\[freshpress-poll id=”375421″\]

### The Latest: Back against Watford?

Urquhart shared a story on [The Yorkshire Evening Post](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-uniteds-injury-list-in-full-as-marcelo-bielsa-waits-on-seven-players-ahead-of-watford-clash-3399163) on Tuesday lunchtime, looking at the club’s injury list in full.

When it came to Ayling, who pundit Kevin Campbell labelled [‘incredible’](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-have-suffered-big-blow-after-ayling-latest-campbell/) earlier this month, Urquhart claimed the right-back should be fit against the Hornets after almost making the defeat to West Ham last time out.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375277″\]

### The Verdict: A more experienced backline

Struijk has served a three-game suspension so will also be [available](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-uniteds-injury-list-in-full-as-marcelo-bielsa-waits-on-seven-players-ahead-of-watford-clash-3399163) for selection, meaning Marcelo Bielsa could field a more experienced backline against the Hornets.

Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell [didn’t look out of place](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1549594/Live/England-Premier-League-2021-2022-Leeds-West-Ham) against the Hammers, but Ayling has been a [regular](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-ayling/leistungsdaten/spieler/67420) and Struijk has impressed, so having the pair back would be a big boost as Leeds search for a first win.

***In other news: [Phil Hay drops six-word Leeds verdict that could be bad news for Bamford.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-phil-hay-encouraged-by-rodrigo-performance/)***