Report: Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy set to join Mansfield Town

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League Two outfit Mansfield Town are set to sign Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy on loan, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The Stags have made an underwhelming start to their campaign, securing six points from as many fixtures, with the club suffering something of a hangover from losing in last season’s play-offs.

Shaughnessy has played 15 times for the first-team at Leeds but spent last season on loan in the Scottish Premiership with Hearts.

Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa was full of praise for the uncompromising centre-back during an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post last December.

The charismatic boss told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Shaughnessy ‘had the skills to be inside the team’ and some Leeds supporters thought he may get the chance to impress this season.

That hasn’t been the case, however, and Mansfield boss John Dempster will hope he has pulled off a defensive coup as he sets about reviving his team’s fortunes.

TBR Verdict – Shaughnessy must use Stags loan to catch Bielsa’s eye

It really is now or never for the Galway-born defender when it comes to earning a shot at Leeds.

Having done reasonably well north of the border with Hearts, Shaughnessy will want to show Bielsa that he has what it takes to play consistently well in England.

If he can transform Mansfield and propel them into the higher echelons of League Two then he could well earn an Elland Road reprieve.

Leeds aren’t blessed with loads of central defensive options and that must be in the back of the 23-year-old’s mind.

Playing well at One Call Stadium must be his immediate aim and then who knows what the future might hold for the Irish defender.