McCann confident Leeds-owned Mallik Wilks will step up for Doncaster

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Leeds United youngster Mallik Wilks has joined Doncaster Rovers on loan.

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has suggested to the club’s official website that Leeds United-owned forward Mallik Wilks could make the step up to League One just like Jack Marriott did at Peterborough United.

As announced on Doncaster’s official website, Rovers have signed Wilks on loan from Leeds in the summer transfer window.

The 19-year-old has been on loan at Accrington Stanley and Grimsby Town, and the teenager has proved himself in League Two.

The forward will now have to make the step up to League One, and Doncaster manager McCann is confident that the Leeds-owned teenager can do that just like Marriott did at Peterborough last season.

The 23-year-old moved to the Posh from Luton Town in the summer of 2017 for a transfer fee reported by The Sun to be worth £500,000, and scored as many as 27 goals in League One last season.

McCann told Doncaster’s official website about Wilks: “I do not think the step up is that big, he can deliver in this league. You only have to look at Jack Marriott last season at Peterborough to see that the step up is not that big.

“He is a rough diamond and is going to need to be managed a bit, but we will work with him every day to make sure he understands his role in the team.”

Leeds United’s reported interest in Jack Marriott

Interestingly, Leeds have been linked with a move for Marriott in the summer transfer window.

According to The Sun, Leeds are among a number of clubs who want to sign the 23-year-old this summer, with Peterborough reported to want as much as £6.5 million as transfer fee for the former Ipswich Town.

While it is not going to be easy for Wilks to do what Marriott did last season, there is no doubt that the 19-year-old is very talented and will score quite a few goals in League One.