It’s set to be a testing time for Leeds United, with Marcelo Bielsa low on numbers ahead of a crucial festive period.  

Leeds have one of the smallest squads in the Championship, which is a preference of Bielsa. However, that squad is now stretched, with key personnel missing all over the field.

One area that Leeds are particularly short is in defence, with Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi both long-term absentees.

That’s left Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper as Leeds’ only centre-back options, with the former even carrying a problem out of this month’s international break.

Recently, transfer news has emerged from Newcastle United, with the Chronicle Live reporting that Ciaran Clark could be offloaded in the January transfer window.

That could well attract the interest of a number of Championship clubs, including Leeds.

Here at FLW, we take a look at THREE reasons why Leeds must move for the Newcastle defender…

As mentioned, Leeds’ squad is stretched, particularly in defence.

There’s a reliance on Jansson and Cooper at centre-back, particularly with Ayling and Berardi on the sidelines.

Adding Clark would give Leeds another option in the heart of defence and take away some of that reliance.

Clark is an experienced defender who has already seen a lot for a 29-year-old.

He’s been involved in relegation fights, as well as a promotion.

In 2016/17 he featured on 34 occasions for Newcastle in the Championship, helping Rafa Benitez’s side to the title.

With Leeds hoping for similar honours this season, that experience could be vital.

That year in the Championship, Clark showed his class.

Over the course of his career, the 29-year-old has played a lot of top-flight football and is a very capable defender.

A player like that should not be overlooked by Leeds.

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