This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United head into the next round of Championship fixtures this weekend, looking to make it three matches unbeaten when they travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa will again have to do without both Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts, who have been sidelined since before pre-season and as of yet, Bielsa is unable to give a return date for the duo, as reported in the YEP.

So how big a concern is the continued absence of Ayling and Roberts for the Whites?

We discuss........

Louie Chandler

"It's 100% a concern.

"They are two players who both take up positions and roles that Leeds are woefully understaffed in.

"Dallas has done a decent job filling in at right-back so far this season but the fact the remains that he is not a right-back and is not as good as Ayling.

"Roberts is somebody Bielsa needs to be fit as well. His versatility means he can provide competition out wide, in midfield and up-front."

Kealan Hughes

"It is not too great a concern as Leeds have managed well without them so far so should be okay over the next few weeks.

"They should manage without them until the first international break but if they are still not fit after that then there will be concern, as they will have to rely on the same personnel week in week out and that will build up fatigue.

"The big problem last season was the same players playing too often and therefore Leeds need to rotate to learn from their mistakes, which they have been unable to do due to these injuries.

"Both Ayling and Roberts are good players too who add a lot to the team, so it will frustrate Bielsa that he is unable to use them, and if he continues with the same starting XI Leeds could become too predictable."

[ad_pod ]

Alfie Burns

“Whilst it remains solely this pair on the sidelines, it isn’t a concern for Leeds, but when you consider the mounting problems that faced Bielsa last season, he isn’t going to want a repeat of that.

“Stuart Dallas is filling in for Ayling very well, despite the latter’s importance to the side, whilst Leeds have more than enough creativity to deal with Roberts’ absence.

“However, saying that, both are very good players, and fully fit, they find their way into Bielsa’s XI, which obviously makes their extended absence frustrating.

“All in all, I’d probably side with frustration over concern.”