Jamie Shackleton impressed in Leeds United’s win at Derby.
Leeds United youngster Jamie Shackleton made a strong case to start the play-off second leg against Derby.
Remarkably it would be Shackleton’s first start for the club since January, when he featured in a much rotated FA Cup defeat to QPR.
Shackleton has often been used from the bench, but manager Marcelo Bielsa has been reluctant to start him.
In the first leg away to the Rams, Shackleton came on early, replacing injured midfielder Adam Forshaw.
With Forshaw’s availability for the second leg uncertain, Shackleton made a strong case to start the second leg.
He was lively throughout, and had one bursting run where he panicked the Derby defence and nearly set up Pablo Hernandez for a second goal.
Shackleton has the ability to get the Elland Road crowd on their feet with a moment of magic on Wednesday night and should be in his element against a Derby side which have developed an inferiority complex against Leeds.
His lack of first team starts is an oddity given his talent. Getting a chance doesn’t seem to panic him when it does come.
Now is the perfect time for Marcelo Bielsa to let him loose.
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