Leeds United: Thomas Christiansen to discuss possible recall of Lewie Coyle

Ayling limped off during the first half of the New Year’s Day clash with Championship visitors Nottingham Forest at Elland Road following a collision with Liam Bridcutt and the 26-year-old will miss the remainder of the campaign having undergone surgery to repair damaged cartilage.

Gaetano Berardi is now set to move over from left-back to his more natural right-back position with Leeds having signed a new left-back on Thursday in the shape of former Belgian youth international Laurens De Bock from Club Brugge for a fee in the region of £1.5m.

United, though, remain short of right-back options and Coyle is continuing to impress on a season-long loan in League One at Fleetwood Town.

The Whites have the option to recall the 22-year-old to provide extra competition and cover but Christiansen insisted that the idea had not yet been given any thought and that he would consult with director of football Orta about whether bringing back Coyle would be a good move.

The on-loan Whites right-back has featured 27 times this season for Fleetwood who are managed by former Whites head coach Uwe Rosler and sit 13th in League One.

Asked if he had given any thought to recalling Coyle, Christiansen said: “No we haven’t – at the moment.”

Asked if he felt Coyle was better suited to staying at Fleetwood, Christiansen replied: “We will have to talk to Victor.”

Whites Academy graduate Coyle has so far made 23 appearances for Leeds but just nine starts in the league.

The defender signed a new three-year-contract at United in July before heading for his season-long loan at Fleetwood.