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Former Leeds United forward Andy Ritchie believes Massimo Cellino needs to back Garry Monk in the next transfer window by bringing in a central defender.

Writing in his column in the YEP, Ritchie said the partnership of Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley has been impressive this season, but he’s concerned if either picks up an injury.

The former Leeds United star believes Monk needs to have a backup central defender, and therefore the manager has to tell Cellino one must be signed in the New Year.

“They are playing a bit more as a team now and they are a bit more resilient at the back with Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley who are looking like a very strong partnership. But my only concern would be that if one of those two got injured, they haven’t really got anybody to step back in and I think Garry will be saying to the owner, listen, in January I need to bring a centre-half in I think and maybe a striker too,” said Ritchie.

Leeds United today clash with Norwich City at Carrow Road, and will go into the game full of confidence given their recent form. The Elland Road side have turned their season around in recent weeks, and are now hoovering just below the play-off spots. The two sides met just under two weeks ago in the EFL Cup, a match which Leeds United won via penalties.