Former Premier League star forced to answer awkward questions live on Sky Sports ahead of big EFL clash

LUKE AYLING was forced to answer an embarrassing question as his Middlesbrough team faced parent club Leeds.

The defender spent eight years at Leeds before being loaned to Boro in January.

This meant he was ineligible to play as Leeds visited the Riverside Stadium on Monday looking for three points to aid promotion.

Before kick-off, Ayling spoke to Celestial Sports and was asked about his score prediction and who he thought would win – prompting a nervous response.

He said: “I want football to win. I love football and, to be completely honest, I can’t say that.

“Like I said, I haven’t seen Leeds much lately, but I’ve seen these boys on the training ground and how we’ve played over the last 9-10 games.

“I’m really confident the boys can have a good innings today. Who knows, but I’m just hoping for a good game of football.”

Ayling certainly got what he asked for as Boro took the lead with Isaiah Jones scoring after seven minutes.

But the visitors responded with two goals in four minutes – only for Emmanuel Latte Lath to equalise.

However, Wilfried Gnonto put Leeds ahead and gave Daniel Farke’s side a 3-2 half-time lead.

BEST UK BOOKMAKER FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS

Leeds are in the hunt for promotion but need Ipswich to drop points in their remaining three games to achieve automatic promotion.

It was a turnaround for the west Yorkshire side, who suffered relegation from the Premier League last season.