Leeds United news as Phil Hay shares Luke Ayling plans post West Brom clash

Luke Ayling is among the few Leeds United players who want to stay at the club despite relegation from the Premier League, according to Phil Hay.

The Athletic journalist watched him celebrate his goal against West Brom on Friday (18 August) with the game ending 1-1.

Despite Cody Drameh fighting for his future at the club and links with more defenders, the Englishman has no interest in leaving Elland Road.

Hay told the Square Ball at 18:45 “I’ve listened to the criticism of Ayling in the past two weeks and there have been questions about bits of his form but that was a banging header on Friday.

“His reaction, there’s definitely something important about the fact that he wants to be here because it feels like from the squad that was left behind from last season, there weren’t enough people that wanted to be here.”

Good enough to start?

Ayling’s been a faithful servant at Elland Road but everyone knows that his best days are now behind him.

He’s not at that age where he can bomb forward and track back from start to end and be an effective performer for the entire game.

He may have scored against West Brom, but Drameh’s performances in the Championship last season show he’s among the better full-backs in the division.

Ayling may be better coming off the bench and this is something Daniel Farke may look to consider in the coming weeks.

Drameh’s not going to want to stay around for another year in reserves when he can be playing first-team football at another Championship club.

Ayling’s an important presence in the dressing room and his leadership skills are certainly something Farke will value a great deal.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites need to table a ‘Convincing’ bid to sign a striker as EFL rivals’ stance emerges on his sale this summer.