Jamie Shackleton reveals his "nightmare" Leeds United training opponent, match officials named for Southampton

Leeds United travel to face Southampton on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League. Marcelo Bielsa is busy preparing his non-international players at Thorp Arch - here, we take a look at the key headlines from Elland Road on Tuesday.
Leeds United's Jamie Shackleton. Pic: GettyLeeds United's Jamie Shackleton. Pic: Getty
Leeds United's Jamie Shackleton. Pic: Getty

Shackleton names Leeds player who is a "nightmare" to mark

In an exclusive interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post, Jamie Shackleton was quizzed over which player was a nightmare to come up against in training at Thorp Arch.

"Cry Summerville, is a nightmare to mark. He’s really sharp," he said.

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"For his size he’s very, very strong. I do my best to keep up with him and the other wingers. We’ve got some very sharp wingers at the club.

Match officials appointed for Southampton clash

Lee Mason will be in charge of VAR for Leeds United's trip to Southampton, a fortnight after missing what appeared to be a clear penalty for the Whites against Watford.

The Bolton official retired from on-field refereeing duties at the end of last season but became the Premier League's first dedicated Video Assistant Referee at the start of the current campaign.

He was Simon Hooper's VAR for Leeds' last outing at Elland Road against Watford, a 1-0 win, but came in for criticism along with the match officials for deciding William Troost-Ekong's challenge on James was not a foul. The defender blocked the run of the Leeds winger, who appeared destined to reach the ball in the area.

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Former top flight referee Keith Hackett described it as a 'nailed-on penalty kick'.

It was one of two controversial moments in the game, the other coming when Liam Cooper tangled with Christian Kabasele in the Leeds area as Illan Meslier dropped a corner. Hooper blew his whistle before the ball rolled into the net, deeming Kabasele to have fouled the Whites captain. Because he had whistled play dead before the ball crossed the line, VAR could not intervene.

Mason will once again be the VAR as Marcelo Bielsa's team return to Premier League action at St Mary's on Saturday.

David Coote has been appointed referee for the game, with Dan Cook and Nick Hopton his assistants. John Brooks will be fourth official, with Mark Scholes assistant VAR.

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Coote has refereed 16 previous Leeds fixtures, eight of which they have one, with one draw and seven defeats. He last officiated a Whites game last season, in the final fixture against West Brom when he awarded Bielsa's men a penalty for Okay Yokuslu's handball.

A few days prior he was the VAR who ignored Patrick Bamford's plea for a spot-kick after the striker opted to stay on his feet after a challenge by Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy.

In March 2019 Coote sent off Kiko Casilla in Leeds' 1-0 defeat by Sheffield United and also gave Liam Cooper his marching orders that same season against Millwall.

Latest Premier League transfer rumours

Chelsea have held informal talks with Real Madrid over re-signing 30-year-old Belgium playmaker Eden Hazard - but the Spanish club would want England right-back Reece James, 21, in return. (El Nacional)

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Manchester United are considering bringing in Leicester's Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, 24. (Fichajes)

Liverpool are closely monitoring Ousmane Dembele's situation at Barcelona. The 24-year-old France winger, who has not played since Euro 2020 because of a knee injury, is out of contract at the end of the season. (Mundo Deportivo)

Arsenal and France forward Alexandre Lacazette, 30, has no intention of signing a new contract with the Gunners when his current deal expires at the end of the season. (Football.London)

Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 30, still believes he can be a success at Juventus with a season-and-a-half remaining on his current contract. (Times)

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