Heckingbottom should resist urge to hand Leeds’ Jay-Roy Grot recall

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Jay-Roy Grot is doing his first-team prospects with Leeds United no harm at all right now.

After Jay-Roy Grot provided another indication last week that it may be worth not writing him off just yet, there were several Leeds fans who suggested that Paul Heckingbottom should consider handing him another chance in the Whites’ first-team.

Grot had endured a fairly miserable spell in the Leeds side following his summer move. Not helped by the fact that he was signed immediately after Chris Wood’s departure and is of a similar height to the New Zealander, the Dutchman struggled to make a positive impression during his first few months at Elland Road.

Often thrown on for the final minutes in league games, the 20-year-old was never able to get any momentum going and has recently found himself lining up for the under-23s.

A goal in his first appearance for Carlos Corberan’s side in the win over Huddersfield Town has since been followed by a brace against Hull City last week – and with Caleb Ekuban not scoring in the weekend’s draw with Reading, there were calls for Grot to get another chance.

But perhaps Heckingbottom should resist the temptation to throw him in when his confidence is starting to grow and his form just provides the slightest hint that he is turning a corner.

While the play-off places are not mathematically out of reach, it appears almost certain that another season of Championship football is on the cards for Leeds so there is little left to play for this term.

Holding Grot back and allowing him to potentially build that confidence further may not be a bad idea ahead of what will be his first pre-season with Leeds.

Rewarding him for his form with one or two starts at the end of the campaign may be a good move, but there seems little point disrupting his momentum if he is going to mainly be a substitute who gets five or 10 minutes at the end.

After a difficult season for Grot, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Heckingbottom should let the striker enjoy the plaudits for a little longer rather than rock the boat.