Doncaster manager McCann comments on Leeds starlet Mallik Wilks

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Leeds United forward Mallik Wilks has left Elland Road on loan until January.

Grant McCann has told Doncaster Rovers’ official website that the League One side had to see off a lot of competition to land Mallik Wilks on loan from Leeds this summer and backed the Whites youngster to succeed during his time with the club.

Wilks has long been considered one of the brightest talents coming through at Elland Road, and got to make his first-team debut during Garry Monk’s tenure when the Championship side travelled to Sutton United for an FA Cup tie.

The 19-year-old spent the majority of last season out on loan. He established himself as a super sub at Accrington Stanley before showing some real glimpses of quality during a spell with Grimsby that was interrupted by injury.

He will get the chance to step up this term with Doncaster signing him on loan until January. And after completing the deal, McCann suggested that he was excited about the youngster’s potential.

“We have fought off a lot of competition to get him here, he had a really good spell at Accrington last year. His goal per game ratio was good and it is a perfect progression for him,” he told the club’s official website.

“It gives us more competition for places and he brings something different. He is strong, quick, left-footed and he can only add to our frontline.”

With a lot of exciting young forwards currently on Leeds’ books – the likes of Sam Dalby and Ryan Edmondson made an impact at Thorp Arch while Wilks was out on loan – Wilks may perhaps feel that he is under a little bit of pressure to make sure that he impresses at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Leeds’ current lack of depth up front may potentially benefit the fringe forwards still at the club during the coming campaign if Marcelo Bielsa is unable to rectify that situation before the season starts. But Wilks will know that scoring goals at first-team level elsewhere could be a fantastic way to force his way into Bielsa’s thinking ahead of his probable return in the new year.