Legend at Leeds United though he is, Michael Skubala has taken most satisfaction from Luke Ayling’s dressing room leadership since taking the reins. Skubala described Ayling with such historical acclaim on the day the club announced an extension had been triggered in the right-back’s contract.
The 31-year-old will be on the verge of eight full years at Elland Road when his contract expires in 2024. Ayling has already made 237 appearances, more than Alan Smith and Jonny Howson among many others, across the six-and-a-half years he has already spent with Leeds.
“All the players are important to this group,” said Skubala. “They're a really good group of players, but Luke, first and foremost, he's a great person to have around.
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“Very professional, great leader, a great leader in the dressing room and a bit of a legend at the club. So I'm really pleased, personally, but also for him professionally and for the club they could get an extension out of it, but it's a really important moment.
“He was brilliant in the two games against Manchester United.”
With the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville regulars in the senior matchday squad, Skubala has stressed the importance of roles like Ayling’s in the dressing room. As well as playing well on the pitch, the vice-captain’s method of doing things the right way sets an important example to the squad’s youngsters.
“It's always important you have good leaders and it's also important you have good leaders to help support the young players, but also good leaders that do things the right way,” he said. “Luke's one of them, for me, [who] does things the right way.
“He's also really positive and it's also important to have good performances as leaders and he showed that over the last couple of games.”
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