‘Going to get more and more playing time’: Marsch wowed by Leeds fringe player pre-Leicester

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Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has praised Luke Ayling, describing him as a player at an “incredibly high level”.

The Whites boss, speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, also discussed the 31-year-old’s game time.

Ayling has been a solid player for Leeds since joining from Bristol City back in 2016.

He has clocked up over 220 appearances for the Elland Road outfit.

However, Ayling is struggling for game time at present, with Marsch preferring Rasmus Kristensen at right-back.

Kristen has started all but one of Leeds’ league games this season, with Cody Drameh starting against Brentford.

‘He’s going to get more and more playing time’

Marsch, speaking ahead of the Leicester City match, spoke of how Ayling has been supportive of the group and is always ready to perform.

“My way of working with all the guys is to communicate clearly what the plans are and then what the next steps are for them to continue to grow and develop,” said the Leeds boss.

“And I think it’s even more important when they’re really important figures in the team. Certainly Luke is that for us. So I just have tried to communicate decisions.

“I’ve tried to communicate what we need from him, how for him to continue to show to be the example and how to handle difficulty with decision making from from the manager.

“And I think he’s done that really well and continued to be supportive of the group and to be ready to perform. That’s the job. Right?

“And I think he’s done that at an incredibly high level and he’s going to get more and more playing time I’m sure.”

‘How fortunate I am to have him’

Marsch was then asked how Ayling can get back into the XI.

“It’s not really what does he need to do,” replied the Leeds boss. “It’s more just that he needs to be ready.

“In a person’s career and the way this works is you never know what the next moment is going to look like and you certainly need to be ready to seize that moment at any time.

“I don’t need to tell Luke that, he’s incredibly experienced and mature with who he is and how he deals with things.

“From day one I came here him and Coops were always the two most mature, complete, secure, sure leaders that I’ve been around.

“I don’t know how else to acknowledge how fortunate I am to have him in our group and I still know he has a lot to offer from a playing perspective as well.

“It’s not just about leadership. It’s about the player he is so he’ll be ready. He’ll be ready when called upon and I’m sure he’ll do great and make a case for himself everyday.”

It’s good to see Marsch praise Ayling as a player and as a dressing room figure.

He’s just the kind of player any successful team needs. Talented, experienced, and still doing all he can to help out even if he’s not getting much game time.