Morning Leeds-in for 5 April: Could Paudie O’Connor feature against Sunderland?

So looks like Paul Heckingbottom might be forced to use a few more youth players against Sunderland.

Matthew Pennington left the Fulham match with a calf strain, leaving the club with one fit senior central defender on the roster. Pontus Jansson might be a very good centre back, but even he can’t hold the line down by himself.

So does that mean that Gaetano Berardi will lineup at central defender? Or will Paudie O’Connor, who we have profiled a few times, get called up into the first team? O’Connor played first team football in the Republic of Ireland, so he’s no stranger to first-team football, and he’s captained the U23s. He was around during preseason and was one of the last youth players to get sent back to the U23s, so maybe this is the time to see what he’s got. After all, Leeds need a new central defender or two this summer.

On to the links.

Leeds United Links

Jack rated the players from Tuesday night’s match against Fulham. [Through It All Together]

A quick look at Leeds United’s finances. [Yorkshire Evening Post]

England and English Football Links

Liverpool apologised for the damage that fans did to the Manchester City bus before last night’s Champions League match. [BBC.com]

RIP Ray Wilkins. [The Independent]

Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-0 at home in the first leg of their Champions League tie. [The Liverpool Offside]

World Football Links

Club América fell 3-1 at the hands of MLS team Toronto FC in the Concacaf Champions League. [FMF State of Mind]

Barcelona took their chances well and beat AS Roma soundly, winning 4-1. [Barca Blaugranes]

Chievo Verona was held to a 1-1 draw by nine-man Sassuolo. [Football-Italia.net]

The Derby della Madonnina ended a 0-0 draw, as neither Inter Milan nor AC Milan were able to find a winner. [Football-Italia.net]