It's been a torrid season for Leeds United in terms of injuries.

The Whites were absolutely flying at the start of the campaign, before injuries to key players such as Kemar Roofe, Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi had a detrimental impact on their form.

Marcelo Bielsa's men, after just three wins in their last nine league games, have dropped out of the automatic promotion places, and find themselves just three points clear of 7th placed Nottingham Forest.

After a short international break, Marcelo Bielsa will have drawn up a list of potential January transfer targets, that will arrive at Elland Road and add much needed depth to a depleted squad.

We at FLW feel that Aberdeen defensive stalwart Scott McKenna would be a perfect signing for Leeds in January - Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has recently come out and said that he is bracing himself for bids for the 22-year old in winter.

With Aston Villa reportedly strong admirers of the Scottish international, here, we take a look at two reasons why Leeds should challenge their promotion rivals in pursuit of the highly-rated defender.

After their most recent result - a 4-1 defeat away at West Brom - it's crystal clear that Leeds need defensive reinforcements.

Defenders Gaetano Berardi, Barry Douglas and Luke Ayling have all spent time on the sidelines with injury this term, so McKenna would be a hugely welcomed addition for squad depth at Elland Road.

The 21-year-old has already achieved a lot on a personal level, in the early stages of his career.

Last year was the commanding centre-half's breakthrough season, where he came through the youth ranks at Pittodrie, and ended up captaining the Scottish national team against Mexico at the end of the campaign – this alone shows just how highly McKenna is rated north of the border.

He is exactly what Leeds need – a young, towering, hungry, and proven centre-half who could be a magnificent partner to the likes of Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson