The on-loan Everton defender has been unable to command a regular starting berth for Leeds.
Last season Matthew Pennington experienced the euphoria of scoring for Everton against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, but with this campaign’s corresponding fixture set to take place this weekend, the youngster finds himself in a difficult situation.
Having produced some impressive displays after being given a brief opportunity in the Everton first-team last season, Pennington joined Leeds on a season-long loan, with the hope being that he would build upon the experience he gained during three temporary stints in the Championship with Tranmere Rovers, Coventry City and Walsall.
However, the young defender suffered an injury on his debut against Bolton Wanderers and, although he had a short spell back in the Leeds team, he has been an unused substitute in the club’s recent Championship fixtures.
At the age of 23, Pennington doesn’t have too much time on his side if he is to make the grade at Everton and this difficult loan spell at Leeds certainly isn’t aiding his development.
All of Pennington’s appearances for Leeds so far have come as a centre-back, but at present he is finding it very challenging to get ahead of Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper in the pecking order.
Pennington is also capable of playing at right-back, but with Luke Ayling performing well in that position it seems unlikely that he will be able to force his way into the starting line-up in the near future.
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