Should Leeds United look to their academy to replace Tyler Roberts?
Leeds United’s season was rocked this week by the news their exciting summer signing Tyler Roberts faces a spell on the sidelines.
Roberts is out for an ‘extended period’ and this is bad news for Leeds’ fading promotion hopes.
Up front the Whites have loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga, injury prone Caleb Ekuban, and the so far disappointing Jay Roy-Grot.
Ekuban and Grot appear immediately in line to profit from Roberts’ injury, but there could be other young talents in Leeds’ bloated under-23 squad who could step up.
Here are three who could get a chance before the season is over…
Jack Clarke
Exciting youngster Jack Clarke is still making the transition between the under-18s and under-23s but he is arguably Leeds most exciting home grown talent.
The 17-year-old is represented by former Leeds star Ian Harte and he signed terms with the Whites earlier this season, rejecting advances from Manchester City.
Clarke starred in the under-23s 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest last week and a few more performances like that will help his case.
Sam Dalby
Dalby is one of the few players in Leeds’ under-23 squad with experience playing competitive games in the Football League.
The 18-year-old scored on his debut in League 2 for Leyton Orient last season and was highly rated at the East London side before Leeds signed him this January.
It is still early days for Dalby in Yorkshire but if he can get a run of games and goals for the under-23s then he could become a strong candidate for a call up.
Oliver Sarkic
Leeds United’s top scorer this season for the under-23s, Oliver Sarkic looks to be a shrewd acquisition from Benfica.
Already there is a case that he should be ahead of Jay-Roy Grot in the pecking order.
The problem is he picked up an injury in their last game and was left on crutches. There have been no updates since on his status, but if he can make a swift return then he could build on his promising start and earn a first team spot.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
