Teenage winger Jack Clarke is yet to start a match for Leeds.
Leeds United take on Reading in the Championship at Elland Road on Tuesday night in a match Marcelo Bielsa will be expecting his side to win – and fans have called on the Argentine to hand Jack Clarke his first start.
The winger, who turned 18 last week, has made three substitute appearances for the Whites this season, coming against Brentford, Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest – accumulating 59 minutes in total.
However, the fleet-footed star is yet to make his first start for the club, as the immediate hype surrounding the Thorp Arch academy product is beginning to trail away.
He was an unused sub against Wigan, and failed to make the 18 for the 4-1 loss to West Brom. He did return to the 18 against Bristol City, but did not get on. Bielsa will know full well that he needs first-team minutes to aid his development.
Now, Tuesday night’s clash against Reading presents the perfect opportunity for Bielsa to throw Clarke into the deep end. Leeds will be expected to win and dominate possession, with the backing of their own fans.
Indeed, Reading have been poor under Paul Clement and have taken two points from their last five games. Though they desperately need a win, the chances of them beating a side like Leeds is unlikely.
It could tempt Bielsa into thrusting Clarke into the starting eleven in order to give the likes of Gjanni Alioski or even Pablo Hernandez a rest. Some Leeds fans took to Twitter in a bid to urge their manager to start youngster Clarke.
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