JUST IN: Leeds United line up as Connor Roberts transfer gives Daniel Farke fresh dilemma

Daniel Farke, the manager of Leeds United, will have a new selection conundrum as the team approaches Burnley for Connor Roberts’ loan transfer.

Connor Roberts, the right-back for Burnley, is nearing a transfer to Leeds United.

Prior to leaving the Clarets on loan, the Wales international has an appointment for a medical exam. Roberts’ arrival will be a welcome addition for Daniel Farke’s team since it helps to address a positional issue that has dogged Leeds all season.

Adolescent sensation Archie Gray was made to play an unconventional full-back position, and this month the Whites said goodbye to Djed Spence and Luke Ayling. Roberts, 28, has demonstrated his ability at the Championship level and will be excited to play for the first squad. He was included in the team of the season after helping Burnley earn promotion from the previous season.

With 11 clean sheets in 27 league appearances, Illan Meslier has been a virtual constant for the Whites. Strong defensive play, including the recent center-back combo of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu, has aided the goalie. Liam Cooper is still available as a substitute.

Roberts’ arrival would enable him to play right back alongside his Wales teammates, which should hasten his adjustment to his new squad. Junior Firpo, a left-back, has four assists in his past four league games, making up for lost time.

But Roberts’s right-back position puts Farke in a difficult situation in the middle of the field. Ampadu and Gray were Leeds’ starting tandem at the start of the season, however Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev have since entered the team due to their positional changes. For the rest of the season, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Gray and Kamara together in the middle of the park.

Leeds have plenty of options when attacking. For many Premier League teams, the present lineup with Georginio Rutter behind Patrick Bamford and Dan James and Crysencio Summerville out wide is an appealing one.

The fact that Leeds can rely on players like Ian Poveda, Joel Piroe, Joe Gelhardt, and Jaidon Anthony off the bench should help the team’s chances of earning automatic promotion.