Confusion as Leeds United include released player in match-day squad

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A Leeds United XI took on Tadcaster Albion in a pre-season friendly last night. It was a mish-mash of a team made up of players left behind from the Australian tour and under-23 call-ups. 

So there were some surprises in the Leeds United squad for the game. That included a trialist, in the shape of former Sunderland goalkeeper Max Johnstone. 

But his replacement on the bench was a player Leeds United thought had departed the club. 

Joshua Rae was named on the Leeds bench for the game, despite being released by the club at the end of last month. 

In fact, it seemed that Rae had found himself a new team.

As reported by the Lancashire Telegraph, Rae had been on trial with Blackburn Rovers in a bid to win a contract at Ewood Park. 

Of course, there is probably a rational reason behind Rae’s inclusion. 

Kiko Casilla and Kamil Miazek are both in Australia with the traveling squad. Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Will Huffer were left behind, but the pair were absent from the Tadcaster fixture. Rumours on Twitter were of potential injury troubles or moves away from Elland Road. 

So it seems that Rae was simply asked to do Leeds a favour for the game, rather than try and extend his stay at the club beyond the summer.