Should Leeds United be very excited by Liam Kitching’s form?

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Liam Kitching was loaned out by Championship giants Leeds United to National League outfit Harrogate Town in the summer transfer window.

There has been plenty of talk about the struggles endured by many of Leeds United’s loaned out legion in recent weeks.

Hadi Sacko has found himself in and out of the Las Palmas team, Ouasim Bouy, Tyler Denton, Caleb Ekuban and Paudie O’Connor have seen their game-time dry up while Yosuke Ideguchi’s season could be over after a cruel cruciate ligament blow.

But at least Liam Kitching is doing the side proud. The 18-year-old centre-back shone during a loan spell at Harrogate Town last season, starring as the Yorkshire side earned promotion to the National League.

And since returning to Wetherby Road this summer, the teenager is helping Harrogate repeat the trick. Town are third in the ‘conference’ table, just one point off table toppers Salford City with a historic promotion to the Football League in their sights. Harrogate have never played in the Football League and only turned professional in 2017. This has been quite the rise.

And tellingly, Kitching has played every single league game this season with Harrogate losing just once. He was outstanding yet again in the 2-0 away win at Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

So Leeds, who have given plenty of young players their break in recent seasons, should not be overlooking this teenage defender.

Centre-backs are in short supply at Elland Road and Kitching is showing on a weekly basis that he could, or perhaps should, be given a chance to prove himself at a higher level in 2019.