Conor Shaughnessy must take latest Leeds United opportunity after injury hell

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Leeds United are currently sweating over the fitness of Pontus Jansson for the upcoming game with Bristol City in the Championship. The Swedish defender picked up a problem in the 4-1 loss to West Brom and had to pull out of international duty with Sweden as a consequence.

His injury alone could be handled. However, Leeds are also without Gaetano Berardi and Luke Ayling, two players who would usually fill in.

It leaves Leeds in trouble at the back, with the most likely solution dropping Kalvin Phillips into a back-line likely to also contain Stuart Dallas.

But it could also present an opportunity to another Leeds player who has not yet won over the fans.

Leeds snapped up Irishman Conor Shaughnessy in 2016 following the 6ft 3ins midfielder’s release by Reading. It came after a successful trial at Leeds and he was soon converted into a central defender.

Shaughnessy is fit again after a recent injury, which followed eight months out of action with an ankle injury.

He is clearly a player that manager Marcelo Bielsa has a lot of faith in, even if the fans are not convinced.

An absence for Jansson may see Shaughnessy thrown back in the fold at the deep end and give him a chance to prove the doubters wrong. He must take such an opportunity with a firm grip.