Ayling backs Leeds to claim top-flight spot

LUKE Ayling has tipped Leeds United to go on and achieve Premier League promotion ahead of tonight’s clash with Boro.

On loan from Leeds, the veteran right-back will be ineligible to play in the clash at the Riverside as the Whites aim to move back to second in the Championship table.

Ahead of the game, Ayling was back in Leeds for the club’s end-ofseason awards evening where, along with long-serving Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas, he picked up a Special Achievement Award. Upon receiving the recognition, he was inevitably asked about his parent club’s promotion chances.

The Boro loan man said: “Time for these boys to show what they can do, they’re a great team. I’m pretty sure they’ll get promoted.”

Ayling has been the subject of transfer speculation this weekend, after an impressive spell so far at Boro. Available on a free this summer when his Leeds contract comes to an end, Carrick recently spoke of Ayling’s importance to Boro but could offer no guarantees that Boro would sign the 32-year-old this summer

And a potential complication in likely hopes to see Ayling stay at the Riverside next season popped up yesterday with a report from Sun journalist Alan Nixon which claimed that former Boro boss Chris Wilder wants to sign him for Sheffield United this summer.

The Blades look likely to be relegated from the Premier League and lost 4-1 to Burnley at Bramall Lane on Saturday, with Wilder once again criticising his side’s defending. While there is no confirmation that Wilder will still be in charge at Sheffield United next season, Nixon claims that Ayling will be a target for them if he is.

And with the parachute payments in their favour, they will be capable of offering him a bigger wage packet than Boro.

Returning to tonight’s clash, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted a 2-1 win to Leeds this evening.

He said: “Leeds need one [a win] don’t they because of what’s going on around them. They’ve looked in a bit of a funk the last few games and not at their rhythmic best but maybe having some real confidence that comes from a whole batch of EFL awards that got chucked their way collectively, maybe that’s spurred them back on because my god they’ve got to get back to it.

“But, it’s not straightforward, as we know, against a Boro side that has at times looked effective this season under Michael [Carrick], but they’ll be disappointed that they’re not going to be knocking on the door of the top six.”