This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Player view’ series, this content strand is where we put ourselves in the shoes of a given player, and offer an opinion-based outlook on the perspective on the situation at hand...

Luke Ayling made his first Leeds United appearance of the season last night, stepping off the bench in the 75^th minute to help his side see out a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.  

Leeds had, earlier in the day, secured Ayling’s long-term future. Rewarding the right-back for last season’s efforts with a new four-year deal, which will run until the summer of 2023.

Whilst that return from injury and contract extension is good news for Leeds and Ayling alike, the player will recognise the mammoth task he has on his hands if he’s to be a regular again under Marcelo Bielsa.

In the absence of the 28-year-old, Bielsa has preferred Stuart Dallas at right-back, with the Northern Ireland international starting the season in excellent form.

A winger by trade, Dallas brings an obvious attacking threat down the right. And, he’s been part of the Championship’s tightest defence, seeing off some tricky customers – Grady Diangana last night, for example.

To accommodate Ayling last night, Dallas shifted into central midfield to help Leeds see the game out, but there’s little doubt in the minds of many that he will retain the right-back slot at Millwall on Saturday.

Of course, Ayling is equally as versatile as Dallas; capable of playing at centre-back, which might be a necessity given Liam Cooper’s setback, but his best form for Leeds has come down the right.

Ayling was Garry Monk’s first-choice, a regular under Thomas Christiansen and would’ve been had injury not kept him out under Paul Heckingbottom. And, even in Bielsa’s first season, he was the go-to man at right-back.

However, Dallas’ early season form might well have changed that and it’d be a surprise to see the 28-year-old dropped - even for someone as important to Ayling - after 10 consecutive starts and an average whoscored.com rating of 7.07.

That might be frustrating for Ayling, but there’s plenty for him to pick himself up with.

He’s back in the fold after a tough couple of months on the sidelines, with Leeds clearly still feeling his influence warrants a new four-year deal.

A deal like that is all the motivation he will need to battle for his place back in the side, and Bielsa will be hoping the competition for places brings out the best in both Ayling and Dallas.

That was the case last night against a promotion rival in West Brom, and will have to be the same as the Whites’ quest for the Premier League continues.

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