Leeds’ injury crisis showing they should have pushed harder for Kyle Bartley

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As the likes of Gaetano Berardi and Luke Ayling have been struck down by injury to add to a long list of absentees for Leeds United, it’s clear to see that the Whites should have gambled on a move for West Brom’s Kyle Bartley in the summer.

The Yorkshire Evening Post recognised the club’s interest in bringing back the former loanee on a permanent deal from Swansea City but they pondered for too long and saw the commanding defender move to West Brom for £4 million.

Such a fee would have looked a sound investment compared to the £10 million reportedly paid to Middlesbrough to bring Patrick Bamford to Elland Road.

Now with defensive options thin on the ground, Marcelo Bielsa may be wishing that he had Bartley, who has been one of his new club’s star performers this season, among his squad.

The 27-year-old had missed just three minutes of Championship action until he served a suspension as the Baggies lost 1-0 to Hull City this weekend.

Such reliability and consistency at the back is exactly what Leeds are missing and it seems that the decision not to insist upon his signing could be the difference between promotion or just missing out.