Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch may have to make a ruthless call in January.

After signing no fewer than three new midfield options in the form of Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, the chances of long-serving stalwart Adam Forshaw making the American's starting XI again are becoming slimmer by the week.

Not at least because he's on the treatment table yet again.

And according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, the 31-year-old could be on his way out after the Qatar World Cup - speaking to Football FanCast, he said:

"I think it's tough for Forshaw to get into that side.

"There's so much competition in the midfield engine room right now. You've got the summer signings of Roca, Adams and Aaronson in there as well. I think Leeds are now well-stocked in that midfield department.

"So it's probably looking unlikely that Adam Forshaw will get many first-team opportunities for the club going forward. And he's out of contract in the summer as well."

Indeed, it would make sense for the Whites to cash in on the former Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic man, even if for a nominal fee as at least they'd be getting some sort of return for a player that can leave for nothing in a little over six months time.

Forshaw has been a fantastic servant for the club since joining from the northeast in 2018. A lot of that time has been spent on the sidelines, with the £20k-per-week enforcer missing as many as 77 matches through injury but he has never let the team down when featuring on the pitch.

It would be a merciless but necessary decision given he's among the key leadership group considered by Marsch and has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, on top of only 17 starts last term.

"Adam’s an important player for us. He's a big leader for us. He helped set up [a] couple of goals with some of the plays he made. He's a very reliable leader and player for us. No question," claimed the 49-year-old back in July.

For the sake of the player and his career, it would be best for Marsch and co to find him a new club in January, considering the evidence above and the fact that Leeds will only lose him for nothing come the summer.

AND in other news, “Superb” Leeds talent who lost the ball 11x hit his stride for the World Cup vs Spurs...