Leeds United goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell is on international duty with Northern Ireland, while Everton’s Jordan Pickford is with England.
Stephen Harper has urged Leeds United’s Bailey Peacock-Farrell to follow in the footsteps of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and prove himself when he is given the opportunity again.
After starting the season in goal at Elland Road, Peacock-Farrell has seen his spot taken by January signing Kiko Casilla.
But following his sending off against Sheffield United, the Whites youngster is now in line to return to the starting XI after the international break.
Harper, who is goalkeeping coach with Northern Ireland, shared that Peacock-Farrell finds himself in a similar situation Pickford found himself in when he was at Sunderland and urged him to copy what he did.
“Obviously he’s disappointed to be left out,” said Harper, as quoted by FourFourTwo. “On the bus earlier I was chatting to him about the scenario I had with Jordan Pickford at Sunderland when I went there.
“He wasn’t in the team but he was working incredibly hard in the gym, doing the extra work so when his opportunity came he was ready.
“When you do get left out if you take it the wrong way – you don’t train well, don’t do the extra work – when your opportunity does come then you aren’t ready.”
At this moment in time, Peacock-Farrell is on international duty with Northern Ireland and he will be looking to get some much-needed game time under his belt before returning to club duty.
Pickford, who is now plying his trade at Goodison Park, has proven that you can pick yourself up from bad moments.
Harper singled out the England international’s time at Sunderland, but even now the senior man finds himself getting stick for his performances.
A fortnight ago, Pickford made a number of costly mistakes during Everton’s defeat at Newcastle, but he bounced back by securing a clean sheet at home to Chelsea.
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