'Ayling is probably the best player I've ever worked with'

Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds

"If I have to name one player who should be in the spotlight today, although he wasn't involved, I would go for Luke Ayling."

That's what Leeds United manager Daniel Farke told the media at Elland Road after the 3-1 victory over Swansea City which maintains the Whites' third-placed position in the Championship.

It has become a trait of Farke to mention in despatches those unsung heroes who help foster the growing spirit around the club, which had waned since the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa almost two years ago. But never has Farke been so effusive about the contribution of one individual who was not part of his matchday squad.

Ayling aka 'Bill' is in his eighth year at Elland Road and after a one-year extension it seems set to be his last.

After 267 appearances and eleven goals he was missing against the Swans and not through injury.

"To leave him for first time out of the squad, and knowing what it means to him to be involved in game day, is probably one of the most difficult decisions I've made in this job," lamented Farke.

"I pretty rarely talk about something like this but in terms of football character and team-mate character, Luke Ayling is second to none and probably the best player in these terms I've ever worked with. I'm really careful with such a compliment."

Ayling, who scored an iconic volley against Huddersfield Town in the final game before lockdown, is one of the most popular figures at the club.

Farke continued: "He is the kid who brings the spirit and the identity into the dressing room. He brings the heart and soul into my side, he makes sure we don't drop the standards in training. He makes sure that everyone is really on it in training - disciplined, focused - working hard each and every day.

"Even before the game giving everyone a boost, a hug and firing everyone up. What a character this is, to be personally disappointed but then to sacrifice yourself for the team.

"He even gave me a hug and I was honoured...- even though he probably wanted to kill me after this decision. What a character."

This season does feel like a changing of the guard as the remnants responsible for re-establishing United in the top flight before relegation back to the Championship are no longer front and centre stage.

"If we are come next May in a good position and we can speak about a successful season, then its not the players who are in the spotlight or perhaps the new manager or coaching staff," added Farke. "It's the guys like Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper or Stuart Dallas who bring this into the club and who are the real Leeds legends."

United are on a splendid run at present with six home wins in a row and 13 points from a possible 15. Farke could not be clearer in the role Ayling has has to play as part of the supporting cast, adding: "No one should underestimate his impact.

"Without Luke Ayling such a performance would not be possible because he makes sure that in the last five days everybody is on it. He makes sure Djed Spence has to work really, really hard to be allowed to be in the squad ahead of him. He makes sure Archie Gray returned a top class performance today to defend everything."

When managers talk about needing good characters in the dressing room they mean the Aylings of this world who is still 'Bill' after all these years.

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