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Leeds United must consider Hadi Sacko sale unless he impresses against Newport

Alberto Moreno of Liverpool and Hadi Sacko of Leeds United battle for the ball during the EFL Cup Quarter-Final match between Liverpool and Leeds U...
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Leeds United’s nearly man Hadi Sacko should be disposed of unless he dazzles on Sunday.

Leeds United's French midfielder Hadi Sacko (L) vies with Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane during the EFL (English Football League) Cup quarter-final football match between...

Hadi Sacko was Leeds United’s first summer signing and the 23-year-old should be the first to leave this month if he doesn’t impress in Sunday’s trip to Newport County.

The 44-year-old coach is expected to name a fringe XI for his side’s third-round FA Cup encounter and the Frenchman will most probably get a rare start.

Thomas Christiansen reminded Leeds fans of his existence on Monday by giving him a 10-minute cameo in the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest, and he did, to his credit, do a decent job and nearly set up Pierre-Michel Lasogga late on.

Hadi Sacko of Leeds United is challenged by Scott Malone of Fulham during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage on March 7, 2017 in London,...

But the word ‘nearly’ epitomises Sacko’s 18-month spell at Elland Road and if he doesn’t do the business against Newport – 11th in League Two – then United should look to sell.

It’s time for the former Sporting Lisbon youth – a £1.6 million permanent signing, according to Portuguese outlet Record – to start delivering and if he can’t stand out in a match against the Welsh outfit then how exactly is he going to help Christiansen’s side win promotion to the Premier League?

Nobody doubts Sacko’s potential, and his pace can certainly be an asset, but the lack of a final ball let him down during his season-long loan last term and evidently he isn’t doing enough in training to earn regular cameos under Christiansen.

Cardiff player Craig Bryson (r) is challenged by  Hadi Sacko of Leeds during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Leeds United at Cardiff City Stadium on September 26,...

His 10-minute stint against Forest was his first appearance in a month and you wonder whether he is merely taking up space in a squad that can’t afford any more dead weight.

Leeds’ first-team squad already has its fair share of deadwood and how his fringe players perform this weekend should tell Christiansen who wants to fight for their Whites career.