Could Olly Casey rue not sealing Leeds loan exit after January reports?

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One of the only players who seemed to be worth talking about regarding Leeds United’s transfer deadline day was Olly Casey.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported earlier in the month that clubs were interested in taking the defender on loan. And it was suggested that he may get the green light to leave Elland Road.

Phil Hay suggested ahead of the deadline that the 20-year-old was still attracting attention. And it appeared that he may be involved in one of the only deals Leeds would do all day.

However, the window would close without Casey sealing a move away.

He now looks set to try and lead the club’s under-23s to success with Mark Jackson’s side currently top of the table.

But given that his sights will surely be on more game-time in senior football, perhaps it may be fair to suggest that he may rue not leaving on loan.

Leeds have centre-back issues all season. The likes of Robin Koch and Diego Llorente have spent much of the campaign on the sidelines due to injury. Meanwhile. Gaetano Berardi has not played at all after being stretchered off last season.

Casey could soon be ninth choice centre-back?

But it appears that Marcelo Bielsa will soon receive a big boost. The Athletic has reported that Berardi is back in training, and Koch is also edging closer to a return.

Should Llorente also return in the near future, there could be an argument that Casey may be eighth or ninth choice in the pecking order.

Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper have started the last few games together. Meanwhile, under-23 teammate Charlie Cresswell has been on the bench for several weeks.

Bielsa could soon have Berardi, Llorente and Koch to add to the mix. And with Luke Ayling featuring at centre-back this term and Leif Davis – who is able to provide cover in that position – also on the bench, Casey is clearly facing a monumental task trying to get into the team this season.

Bielsa may feel that he would benefit most from staying put. Leeds may have felt that the right club did not come forward with a loan bid.

And Casey may well have chosen to snub the chance to leave this time around. But given that a few more hurdles are seemingly about to be put in front of him, he would surely be forgiven for wondering whether he missed an opportunity not leaving on loan.