Jay-Roy Grot is showing Leeds United fans what he can do with his performances in the reserves, but is a first-team return to Elland Road likely?
In hindsight, Leeds United should probably not have thrown Jay-Roy Grot straight into the first-team after his summer arrival from Dutch second tier side NEC Nijmegen.
The 6ft 4ins frontman was just 19 when he arrived, and had only 35 first-team league appearances under his belt. So it should perhaps have been little surprise when he struggled badly in his first few months in England.
Between August and December, Grot made 14 substitute appearances in the Championship without scoring a single goal – and that was enough for some fans to write off another of Victor Orta’s summer signings.
But it seems that Leeds have belatedly discovered the best way to help Grot develop and make the grade at Elland Road.
Grot has been playing with the club’s U23 side for the last few months, and has started to show some glimpses of his talent. Grot scored twice in the 2-0 win away at Hull City on Saturday, tapping home the first following a corner before bursting clear and converting the second.
Grot has looked sharp and lively when playing for the reserves and, when a first-team opportunity does arise again, should be in a far better position to seize it.
In the eyes of some supporters, however, Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom should consider re-introducing Grot to the senior squad now, as the club’s other attackers are struggling for goals.
Well, it certainly worked out well for Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
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