Jesse Marsch has a difficult decision to make ahead of Leeds United's final three games as Sunday's loss at Arsenal saw him stripped of another senior player. That is down to the fact that Luke Ayling picked up a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Gabriel Martinelli on the byline.
Ayling was originally given a yellow card but VAR quickly alerted Chris Kavanagh that it was a challenge that he should review, leading to the sending off and subsequent three match ban for the full-back.
Asked after the game about how he would handle the situation, Marsch said: "We'll evaluate exactly what we need to do in the next three days, over the next three matches.
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"We have Jamie Shackleton to play this position. We can play Raphinha, we can try a centre-back outside at the full-back position. We have some options, but we've got to figure out what's the best scenario to get us through the next three matches."
As well as a lack of natural options, Marsch also has a lack of leaders now, with Ayling suspended. Subsequently, no option is ideal. Leeds Live has assessed the options that could be used in the final fixtures.
Jamie Shackleton
Perhaps the most obvious solution and the first one mentioned by Marsch. Shackleton has played at right-back almost as much as he has played in his natural midfield position during his senior career. However, he hasn't featured at all since Bielsa was sacked. He has been injured but the fact that he didn't come on as a substitute in the Arsenal match perhaps suggests a lack of trust from the Leeds head coach.
Raphinha
The other player name-checked by the Leeds manager was Raphinha. He filled in at right wing-back after Stuart Dallas' injury against Manchester City and after Ayling's red card. However, as Leeds desperately need points, the idea of moving Raphinha further away from the opposition goal is surely not an attractive one and he should only be used in the position as a last resort.
Robin Koch/Diego Llorente
Should Shackleton not be trusted to play at right-back and Marsch prefer a little more solidity, he could play one of Koch and Llorente at centre-back and the other at right-back. Llorente already played at right-back in the away match against Tottenham, earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Koch played at right-back in the final few minutes on Sunday. Whilst there wouldn't be much attacking output, this would mean Raphinha would not be required to drop back.
Daniel James
The final option is one that was not suggested by Marsch. When Raphinha was brought off in the second half, James played the wing-back role and did relatively well. His intensity and willingness to put everything into challenges could provide a different option at fullback. He would have the energy and pace to cover the whole flank and his issues with end product would matter less at fullback than they do in forward roles.
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