Ward has scored nine goals for Rotherham United this season, although none against Bartley’s Leeds.
Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley
Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley has named Rotherham striker Danny Ward his toughest opponent this season.
Ward has scored nine league goals for the Championship’s bottom side this term, although none since December and none against Bartley.
Nevertheless, when asked if anyone had stood out against him during the 2016-17 campaign, the Leeds stopper told Sky Sports’ EFL Weekly podcast: “Danny Ward at Rotherham. I’ve known him for quite a while. He’s a really good striker and he’s probably not got the praise that he deserves this season ’cause obviously Rotherham have been struggling.
“He’s managed to get a fair few goals and I found him really tough.”
Interestingly, Ward is a former Leeds player himself, having risen through the club’s youth ranks before moving to Bolton Wanderers in 2007 – the same year in which Bartley left the Trotters for Arsenal.
And the pair’s admiration for one another is mutual, with Ward naming Bartley as his toughest opponent during an appearance on the podcast in December.
Ward could be on the move this summer, when his contract at the New York Stadium set to expire, although Rotherham do have an option to extend the 26-year-old’s deal by a further 12 months.
Rotherham’s Danny Ward
And while it is extremely unlikely the Millers would not take it up, they could look to move Ward on to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of next season.
Have you been impressed by Ward this season? Would the striker be a good addition for Leeds?
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