Izzy Brown was handed the chance to start up front for Leeds United’s under-23 on Monday night.
Picking Izzy Brown up front was an intriguing selection decision from Carlos Corberan ahead of Leeds’ under-23 side’s semi-final with Coventry at Elland Road on Monday.
It is no secret that Brown can lead the line. But having spent much of his loan spell playing in the number 10 role, fans would have been forgiven for taking note of the slight change with Patrick Bamford now waiting to find out whether he will face retrospective action following the first-team’s draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.
Kemar Roofe is expected to be available for the trip to Ipswich this weekend. But having missed the game against Villa, Marcelo Bielsa would be forgiven for being cautious about using him for too long at Portman Road when the play-off semi-finals are rapidly emerging on the horizon.
Brown may be an option that could take the pressure off Roofe. But following the 3-2 victory against the Sky Blues on Monday, it appears much less likely that supporters will witness the scenario of Brown scoring the winner in the play-off final with what may prove to be only his second touch for Bielsa’s men that plenty have light-heartedly predicted as he continues to struggle for game-time.
The 22-year-old came off during the second-half after picking up an injury, so it remains to be seen if he will be available to Bielsa this weekend anyway.
But having been somewhat overshadowed by both Ryan Edmondson and Kun Temenuzhkov, Brown would be forgiven for feeling that he has let an opportunity pass him by anyway.
His assist for Robbie Gotts’ opener was outstanding. But the rest of his display was arguably underwhelming, while Edmondson took his tally for the campaign to 19 and the Bulgarian scored the winning goal with a stunning finish from the edge of the box.
Brown’s greater exposure to senior football may ensure that he remains ahead of his teammates in the pecking order if he is fit for Sunday. But with Bamford facing a possible suspension and Roofe surely unlikely to play 90 minutes against the Tractor Boys, Brown may be wondering whether he has not quite taken his chance that could have potentially seen him change everything.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
