INCONSISTENT Leeds United just cannot shake off their defensive worries.

In the final friendly before the return to Premier League action against Manchester City on Wednesday (8pm), they suffered a second-half meltdown to crash to a 4-2 defeat at home to AS Monaco.

The result instantly punctured the optimism that had been generated by the previous friendly victories against Spanish sides Elche and Real Sociedad, both secured by 2-1 scorelines.

The French cut the Whites defence open three times in nine minutes straight after half time as another match – albeit a friendly – slipped through their grasp.

On this evidence, a depleted Leeds seem no nearer to tightening up their defence than before the World Cup break nearly seven weeks ago.

United’s last Premier League game in mid-November saw them lose 4-3 at Tottenham Hotspur having thrice held leads.

This season they have gone ahead against Spurs, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Fulham, but could only muster a point against the Saints.

Leeds were without a host of players against Monaco but deservedly took the lead through a Robin Koch header.

Even when Swiss international striker Breel Embolo equalised there was little to suggest that the Whites would collapse so dramatically straight after the interval.

The defence had looked relatively solid with Koch, who was taken off at the break, particularly impressive.

Within a minute of the restart, Leeds were opened up for Eliot Martins to put Monaco ahead.

Ismail Jacobs soon made it 3-1 and, before they knew what had hit them, Embolo added the fourth. The goals were embarrassingly simple.

Leeds have managed just two clean sheets in their last 19 top-flight matches and it is hard to see them keeping Manchester City and Newcastle United at bay in their next two fixtures.

Joe Gelhardt got a rare full 90 minutes and netted from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game.

Gelhardt started because Rodrigo was not risked due to a tight muscle, although he is expected the start against the champions.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier may be unavailable after a bout of glandular fever. The experienced Joel Robles is tipped to don the gloves should Meslier be ruled out.

Meanwhile, versatile defender Pascal Struijk has extended his contract with Leeds to 2027.

Although largely seen as a centre-back, he was sometimes deployed as a defensive midfielder by former boss Marcelo Bielsa.

He has become a regular under Jesse Marsch, featuring at left-back which has been a problem position for the Whites this term.

The 23-year-old was named in the Netherlands' provisional World Cup squad but did not make the trip to Qatar and has yet to represent the Dutch national side at senior level.