Mark Jackson has told Leeds Live that he is pleased with how Amari Miller is developing with Leeds United’s U23s since joining the Elland Road academy ranks this summer.
The Whites signed Miller from Birmingham for £200k, rising to £1.5m with add-ons, as their first addition of the window. He is firmly considered an academy player in West Yorkshire and will spend his debut season away from the first-team.
Jackson has already relied heavily on Miller across the PL2 and Papa John’s Trophy, with the 18-year-old featuring six times. The Birmingham-born talent is yet to miss any of Leeds’ youth-level fixtures this season, and scored his second goal for the club on Sunday.
Miller netted Leeds’ second in a 4-0 rout of Liverpool’s U23s after opening his account in the EFL Trophy. The winger scored a consolation goal in the second-half of the Whites’ 4-1 loss at Tranmere Rovers last week.
Jackson admits Miller is still learning the system at Leeds and needs coaching in games to find his feet. But the teenager – who made five first-team appearances with Birmingham – has pleased the Whites coach, with his progress trending upward.
“Amari can play off both wings, he’s two-footed and can play off either side,” he said. “Like I’ve said before, he’s still finding his feet in the system and how we play and how we press.
“That instruction [from the bench] sometimes is helpful for him, coming from the sideline until he finds his feet. Ultimately, we want to develop players who understand how we play in and out of possession. Amari’s well on his way to doing that now he’s been in a while.”
Does Miller have a first-team future at Leeds United?
Leeds will hope Miller shows his potential with Jackson’s U23s this season to forge a first-team career at Elland Road. He has started his time in West Yorkshire strongly and enjoyed a productive few days with two goals last week.
Miller has also proven his versatility with his strikes against Tranmere and Liverpool coming from the right. Jackson had fielded the forward predominantly on the left over his first four appearances of the season.
The youngster has also started all six of his outings and will look to build on his newfound goal streak. Continuing to take on board Jackson’s advice and encouragement from the sidelines to make a difference for Leeds’ academy side.
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