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Did Leeds United signing Matt Grimes give himself a lifeline last night?

QPR's Massimo Luongo in action with Leeds United's Matt Grimes (Reuters)
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Leeds United loanee helped influence the game in their EFL fourth round cup win.

QPR's Massimo Luongo in action with Leeds United's Matt GrimesQPR’s Massimo Luongo in action with Leeds United’s Matt Grimes

Leeds United loanee Matt Grimes has not had an ideal start to life as a Leeds United player, but his prospects may be looking up.

Grimes started the season in the first team, but underwhelmed as Leeds lost 3-0 at QPR, substituted after just an hour.

He has not appeared in the Championship since, and with Leeds signing midfielders Liam Bridcutt and Eunan O’Kane on permanent deals since, Grimes’ task has got tougher.

Fleetwood Town's Victor Nirrenold and Leeds United's Ronaldo Viera in actionFleetwood Town’s Victor Nirrenold and Leeds United’s Ronaldo Viera in action

Young prospects Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips have both had more first team opportunities than the Swansea owned midfielder, but he may have thrown himself a lifeline in midweek.

Grimes was named on the bench for the EFL Cup game against his old loan side Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday and came on for the final eight minutes.

Grimes helped Leeds close out the final stages of the match for a 1-0 victory, coming on two minutes before Chris Wood netted the winning goal.

It is a stretch to imagine Leeds throwing him straight back into the starting line-up to face Ipswich Town this weekend, but the England under-21 international might have done enough to warrant further opportunities in the coming weeks, even if he has to take them from the bench.

Blackburn Rovers' Matt Grimes Matt Grimes at Blackburn