The Leeds United manager could implement a change between the sticks on Wednesday.
Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom has revealed via the club’s official Twitter page that he has spoken to young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell about fulfilling his potential.
Peacock-Farrell has failed to build on the sole appearance he made for Leeds two years ago, although Heckingbottom said it is ‘possible’ the 21-year-old could feature against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.
First choice goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald has turned in a number of error-strewn performances in recent weeks, and Peacock-Farrell – as well as Kamil Miazek, who is training with Leeds’ first team according to Heckingbottom – will be keen to profit from Andy Lonergan’s continued absence and seize the German’s place.
However, the Whites boss insisted that any opportunities given to fringe players must be earned and will not be ‘thrown away’.
Asked if he had seen an improvement in Peacock-Farrell since his arrival at Elland Road a month ago, Heckingbottom said: “I had a chat with Bailey the week before last week, about him pushing on and wanting to improve because I felt, and he agreed, that he had become a little bit static.
“But I told him it’s down to him if he wants to push forward, it’s up to him where his career takes him. You can’t just come into training every day, just training and going home, you’re coming in for a reason and a purpose and I want to see that response from him, I want to see him living up to the potential he showed and [he’s] one of those players I’m talking about [who has] got to earn [his] right to get in the team.”
Discussing Peacock-Farrell’s mental readiness, Heckingbottom added: “I don’t know him well enough. Performances will dictate [whether he is brought into the team].
“I felt I needed to have a chat with him and really make clear what he needs to do to improve and it’s down to him. We’ve let him know that whilst we’ll be tough on him and expect more from him, the support’s there – we want him to do well. You want every player in that room to do well and sometimes it’s more important pushing the players that aren’t in the team, because if they’re getting in beyond the ones that are you improve your team straight away so he’s in that bracket.”
Miazek signed for Leeds on a free transfer earlier in the season, but has yet to be involved in the first team plans of either Heckingbottom or predecessor Thomas Christiansen.
Should Leeds start Peacock-Farrell against Wolves?
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