Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn has emphasised that he is desperately short of recognised midfielders, explaining why he packed his substitutes bench with strikers and defenders last night.
The Whites saw a good run of form grind to a halt with a 2-0 defeat to Brighton yesterday, leaving Redfearn bemoaning playing a system which needs five midfielders while at the same time being short in the midfield department.
With Sam Byram injured and missing the trip to Brighton, Redfearn turned to Casper Sloth, in the process fielding someone he views as his last recognised midfield option.
Redfearn told BBC Radio Leeds, when asked if he needs to add players to his squad: "That goes without saying.
"We've got 22 players and in there you've got young players that make up that and the young players really have kept us afloat, kept us going.
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"At this point of the season when you're coming into a run of tough games you need strength in depth.
"As soon as Capser plays that's the last recognised midfield player to go out onto the pitch. You've got four strikers, two defenders and a goalkeeper", the head coach continued, before addressing the players he left out of the travelling party to Brighton.
"The two you leave at home are Adryan and [Brian] Montenegro, who are attacking type players anyway.
"There is an imbalance in the squad. Michael Tonge has gone out, Dave Norris has gone out, we've got one or two injuries, [Tommaso] Bianchi is injured, [Granddi] N'Goyi came injured.
"These things mount up and when you're playing with five in midfield you need cover in midfield."
Leeds are actively looking to add to their squad in the emergency loan market, with Redfearn keen to secure players who have prior experience of playing in the Championship.
Despite losing at Brighton, Leeds still sit 14th in the Championship and stand ten points above the drop zone.
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