Leeds United have a few decisions to make on the contract front at the end of the season.
The Whites have a number of players coming towards the end of their deals in the summer and some tough calls will have to be made on the futures of them.
Long-term stalwarts Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling are three who fall under that category, and at the moment, all reports are pointing towards them not being offered an extension.
Like Ayling, Ian Poveda and Lewis Bate are both currently out on loan and could have also played their last games for the club. However, it will be interesting to see if their performances since leaving has done anything to change Leeds’ mind.
Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton are the last two players whose deals will be coming to an end. So far, there has been no indication as to what Leeds will do with either, though it could also depend on the division the Whites find themselves in next season.
Farke’s latest news should just have ended 24-year-old chance of getting a new Leeds contract
There is no doubt several of those players will be desperate to earn new deals at Elland Road, but it will be important for Leeds to be ruthless this summer.
Leeds face another crucial match in their push for the top two tomorrow at Coventry City, and Daniel Farke provided a new injury update in his press conference yesterday.
On top of the players who were already out, Shackleton was also added to Leeds’ list of absentees, as he is now set to miss the next two weeks at least with an adductor injury.
This latest blow just caps a miserable season on the injury front for Shackleton, who has missed so many matches in the last few months as a result of niggling issues, and illnesses.
Unfortunately, though, his inability to stay fit is just proof that he cannot be relied on over a long season, and it really should end any hopes of him getting a new deal.
Shackleton is at an age where he needs to go and play regular football and clearly it just won’t be happening at Leeds. A mutual parting of ways feels like the best decision in a few weeks’ time.
What Farke has said about new Leeds deal for Shackleton
Farke has been asked a few times about the prospect of Shackleton being handed a new deal, and it would be fair to say he has been pretty open to the possibility.
However, surely after this latest injury blow he must recognise that he is bringing little value to the squad by being here.
The beginning of February was the last time Farke spoke about his situation, and he insisted that Leeds ‘will look after’ the 24-year-old.
He said: “He’s best in a Leeds shirt, that’s for sure. Really like Jamie, really rate him. So flexible, can play different positions. Played right-back, left-back, midfield. I can remember one top game on the left at Ipswich.
“He gives 100% always, lots of identification with Leeds. You always want to have such a player – not always in the spot light. He’s always reliable, he’s there whenever you need him. We’ll look after Jamie.”