Your Leeds United evening headlines for Thursday, February 23.
Robinson moots Ayling position change
Former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Luke Ayling could be played out of position by new manager Javi Gracia. A full-back by trade, the 31-year-old has been backed to play in a three-man defence if needed.
“Whether it’s Robin Koch or Liam Cooper or whether he moves to a three at the back, you don’t know what type of system he’s going to play with the options he’s got,’ Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
READ MORE: Leeds United's new backroom staff set for Newcastle-Benitez flavour under Javi Gracia
“I am not one for playing players out of position but Ayling can do a job at centre half, with Kristensen at right back like we saw at Goodison, or he’s got Cooper to come into the side.
“Personally, I like to see players playing in the right position so one of the central defenders would be ideal, but if it’s a back three then Ayling would be more than capable of filling in as the manager sees fit.”
Ayling deputised several times at centre-back during Marcelo Bielsa's time at Elland Road.
Gelhardt ‘relief’ at goal
Joe Gelhardt says he is 'relieved' to open his goal-scoring account for Sunderland and is determined to use his maiden goal for the club as a platform to build from.
“Yeah (it's a big relief)," he said, after getting that first goal. "I think by now I've had a few good chances in the last few games. I think I could have scored three or four but that's football.
"I'm happy to score my first goal, obviously the result didn't go our way but hopefully that kicks me on now and I can start getting a few more."
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Leeds cop FA charge
Leeds and Everton have been charged by the FA following their Premier League meeting at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. The charge relates to an incident in the 42nd minute of the game as Leeds midfielder Tyler Adams and Everton winger Dwight McNeil came together in front of the away end in Merseyside.
The pair could be seen pushing and shoving each other after Adams took exception to a tackle and that sparked a melee that included almost all of the 20 outfield players on the pitch. The referee was forced to take action after the brawl died down, dishing out four yellow cards, two for each side.
As the instigators, Adams and McNeil entered the referee’s book, but Weston McKennie and Abdoulaye Doucoure were also cautioned. However, the FA have deemed the incident worthy of further punishment and have charged both clubs for their players’ actions.
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Viduka on 'fame'
Mark Viduka has admitted he didn't enjoy the “fame” which came with starring in the Premier League and now lives a quiet life in Croatia.
The former Leeds striker, who famously scored four goals in a 4-3 win over Liverpool in 2000, runs his own coffee shop in Zagreb, and sometimes even plays guitar in his son's band.
"I left Australia to sign for Croatia Zagreb aged 19 and fell in love with the lifestyle," Viduka told the Mail. "And we’d always wanted to run a cafe, for fun really, one where everyone was welcome. So here we are.
"Listen, my missus does all the work, I just sit here and drink coffee! Other than drink coffee? I play the guitar. My son, Oliver, is a drummer in a band."
To read more, click here.
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