Heckingbottom recalled Denton to the Leeds squad to face Brentford on Saturday.
Leeds United recalled Tyler Denton to his matchday squad on Saturday afternoon as the Whites earned a 1-0 win over Brentford at Elland Road – but can the left-back reignite his potential under manager Paul Heckingbottom?
Denton, 22, broke onto the scene last season under Garry Monk, scoring an excellent left-footed effort from outside the area on his debut against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.
However, a number of questionable displays followed against Blackburn Rovers and Cambridge United in the cup, and it saw Thomas Christiansen loan the left-footer to Port Vale last summer.
But the Thorp Arch academy product returned last month – citing family reasons for the end of his season-long loan – before featuring on the bench as an unused substitute against Dean Smith’s Bees.
Christiansen was hardly renowned for his faith in youth, but Heckingbottom’s time at Barnsley showed that he was more than entrusting in his younger players to make the step up. Denton could be the first example of just that in his Leeds stint.
Laurens De Bock has struggled since his January move from Club Brugge, while Gaetano Berardi is right-footed and more naturally suited to right-back. With Luke Ayling sidelined, Leeds need Berardi to be on the right, rather than the left.
It should convince Heckingbottom to give Denton a chance to shine on the left side of defence and follow in the footsteps of talents such as Lewis Cook, Sam Byram and Charlie Taylor into the first team.
Leeds are next up against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Friday night, and it remains to be seen in what capacity Heckingbottom uses Denton.
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