Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch still does not see Pascal Struijk as a first choice option in his best side.
That is according to Leeds Live, despite the fact that the Dutchman has started and played 90 minutes in every Premier League game this season.
Struijk has deputised at left-back in the absence of Junior Firpo, who picked up an injury in pre-season, which has stopped him playing all campaign.
But Firpo remains first-choice, with Struijk seen as a versatile back-up who can operate in a number of roles for Whites boss Marsch.
Leeds boss Marsch sees Struijk as back-up
Reporter Beren Cross said: “When everyone’s fit and firing Firpo is certainly his first choice at left-back. Struijk is seen as a back-up centre-back and a back-up left back right now.
“Drameh and Struijk are different because of their versatility. The former seems suited to one role and, unfortunately for him, there are now two, fit, senior options in front of him.
“The latter can play in two roles and one of those only has one senior option in front of him, who happens to be injury-prone.
“While match time has always seemed like an issue for Drameh, the stars have always been aligned for Struijk to play fairly regularly for what feels like a very long time now.”
Liam Cooper has called Struijk ‘unbelievable‘ in the past and says he has absolutely everything in his game to go on and become one of the best central defenders in the world.
He has been playing out of position at left-back, but will hope to nail down a spot at the heart of the Leeds defence in due course.
For now, he may need to be content with a back-up role, and he now faces a battle with the fit-again Firpo for gametime.