The Leeds United youngster is currently on loan at Doncaster Rovers.
The Doncaster Rovers manager, Grant McCann, has revealed he could have subbed the on-loan Leeds United striker, Mallik Wilks, 10 minutes into the 2-2 draw with Burton Albion last month.
Wilks was eventually withdrawn at the break, but returned to score his 10th goal of his Doncaster loan spell, against Portsmouth on Saturday.
Speaking to the Doncaster Free Press afterwards, McCann said of Wilks, whose temporary stint was extended by Leeds in the early New Year: “The last game he played [against Burton], I told him in meeting between me and him that I could have taken him off after ten minutes.
“I didn’t want to hurt his confidence.
“We know the reason why.
“But when he comes back and plays like that [against Portsmouth] he’s so hard to play against.”
And McCann, who claimed that a lot of work goes into managing the Leeds academy product, added: “He likes the big games, the big occasions. Whenever there is a big occasion he scores.”
As well as his 10 goals, Wilks has now created seven in 35 games for Doncaster.
His early-season form for Rovers prompted Leeds to renew his contract at Elland Road before sanctioning his stay at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The 20-year-old is now tied to his hometown club until June of 2022.
Should Leeds have held onto Wilks in January?
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