Stuart Dallas discusses Leeds teenager Jack Clarke

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Clarke has broken into the Leeds first team under Marcelo Bielsa.

Stuart Dallas has told Leeds United’s official website that Jack Clarke has got a “big future” ahead of him, and expects him to remain at Elland Road for the foreseeable future.

Clarke, 17, has broken into the first team under Marcelo Bielsa of late, and has now made three appearances from the substitutes’ bench against Brentford, Blackburn Rovers and now Nottingham Forest.

In all three appearances, the youngster has brought a freshness to the side and an exciting boost of energy that the Whites have required. Certainly, he helped Leeds peg back Forest as Kemar Roofe scored late on to rescue a 1-1 draw.

Speaking after the match, Northern Ireland international Dallas was asked about Clarke and predicted the youngster to have plenty ahead of him – as well as reassuring Leeds fans that he wants to remain at his boyhood club.

“I think he brings a freshness,” Dallas said. “He’s a young kid but when he comes on he lights the place up. He works really hard and fairplay to him, he’s done very well especially through pre-season.

“Every time he’s come on, he’s taken his chance. The lad has definitely got a big future. He wouldn’t be in the side if the manager didn’t think he was close [to starting]. The managed holds him in high regard, as do the players. He’s a good lad.

“He wants to be here, he wants to work hard and he wants to play for Leeds.”

Coming on three times, Clarke has also remained an unused substitute in five other Championship matches for Leeds as he continues to impress Bielsa despite his tender age.

The youngster, who has not been capped by England at youth level, has a contract at Elland Road until the summer of 2021, and could be involved in Leeds’ next outing.

The Whites next travel to Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon in the Championship – another match that is set to be played in front of the television cameras and Clarke will be hoping he clocks up another appearance for Leeds.