Highly rated defender Charlie Cresswell has been spotted taking part in first-team training ahead of Leeds United’s Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers tonight, via the club’s YouTube page.
If the Preston-born 18-year-old was wondering whether he could handle the step up from U23 football, yesterday’s training session at Thorpe Arch may have felt like a harsh lesson at times.
The skilful Raphinha clearly took a no-mercy approach when squaring up to Cresswell, rolling the ball through the legs of the teenage centre-back for a humiliating ‘panna’.
Cresswell hasn’t been left red-faced often this season, however, starring for a Leeds side cruising ten points clear at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table.
Cresswell captains the Whites at youth level too and his performances for the U23s have earned him the admiration of Marcelo Bielsa.
The video on Leeds’ YouTube page also features Niall Huggins, who made his first-team debut against Arsenal last weekend.
Meanwhile, striker Joe Gelhardt could be rewarded for his fine form with a place in the squad against Wolves.
“(Gelhardt) is a player who always creates danger in a game,” Bielsa said in his pre-match press conference when asked about the former Wigan Athletic wonderkid (LeedsLive).
“He’s a player who’s more linked with the finalising of chances rather than the creation of them. He has resources to beat an opponent and has a final shot, a finish that is very good.”
With Spain international Diego Llorente returning to action after another spell on the sidelines, Cresswell is unlikely to make his Premier League bow at Molineux tonight.
However, the youngster is clearly heading in the right direction at Elland Road.
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