Leeds United may not be in action until October but some players may still be able to pick up game time over the coming weeks. Michael Skubala’s Under-21s will be playing two games over the next seven days with a Premier League 2 clash against Southampton at Elland Road coming before a trip to Crewe Alexandra to get their Papa John’s Trophy campaign up and running.
With five over-age players being permitted in both competitions, Marsch may see the games as opportunities to get his senior players some much-needed minutes during the lengthy Premier League break. With that in mind, Leeds Live takes a look at those who could benefit from a run out with the U21s.
Luke Ayling
Ayling made his first appearance since going under the knife in the off-season earlier this month. It was only a cameo, stepping off the bench to take part in the final 20 minutes of Leeds’ 5-2 defeat to Brentford, but the 31-year-old looked as strong as ever in the right-back role, putting his body on the line and bombing forward with success.
Read more: Leeds United hardest hit by Premier League postponements and 29-day lay-off
He’ll have been desperate to build on that outing with another performance against Nottingham Forest, but he’ll now have three weeks on the training ground to convince the head coach that he deserves to start he Whites’ next game against Aston Villa. A run out with the youth side would certainly keep him sharp and Skubala would be delighted to be able to call on and tap into his expertise.
Liam Cooper
Cooper is still waiting to make his first Premier League appearance this season with his only game time coming in the first half of the club’s Carabao Cup clash with Barnsley at Elland Road in August. As such, after shaking off the Achilles injury which blighted his pre-season campaign, the centre-back could do with the minutes before potentially making his first Premier League start.
The skipper is expected to come into the side to take on Villa on October 2 and a competitive outing against Southampton or Crewe should do him good from both a physical standpoint and a mental one. Cooper’s inclusion in the U21s set-up would be a huge boost for the likes of Jeremiah Mullen, too, who has shown plenty of potential so far this season.
Wilfried Gnonto
The postponements mean Gnonto will be forced to wait until October before making his debut for the Whites following his deadline day switch from FC Zurich. With more than 70 senior appearances for the Swiss club and four caps for Italy under his belt, it seems likely that Gnonto will be pushing for first-team involvement this season and competing, alongside Joe Gelhardt, for Marsch’s attention.
However, his first appearance in white may come with the 21s and he’ll be eager to impress in a side that is already brimming with attacking talent with Sonny Perkins and Mateo Joseph bagging five goals each in the opening four league games.
Junior Firpo
Like Cooper, Firpo hasn’t seen a minute of Premier League action so far this season. The left-back picked up an injury in the pre-season clash with Blackpool in June and that has ruled him out of Leeds’ first six games.
However, he is nearing a return to fitness and Marsch may look to ease him back into the action by handing him minutes in the U21s. Pascal Struijk has been given the left-back reins in Firpo’s absence and he has fared reasonably well, but the former Barcelona man will be looking to edge him out and reclaim his spot in the coming weeks.
Sam Greenwood
Greenwood has made three Premier League appearances this season after establishing himself as a regular on the bench under Jesse Marsch. However, those outings add up to just 28 minutes of top flight action, while 75 minutes came in the Cup against the Tykes.
As such, the midfielder may be keen to top up his game time with a performance against the Saints on Friday night at Elland Road. The 20-year-old is making good progress as he adapts to life within the senior ranks and at this stage of his career he must grasp every opportunity he can get his hands on.
READ NEXT:
Manchester United vs Leeds United postponed, as Premier League say they had 'no other option'
Rasmus Kristensen fitness hint as Leeds United right-back receives call-up
Leeds United facing fixture pile-up as battle to squeeze in Manchester United trip begins
Best and worst-case scenarios as Leeds United braced for Premier League slide during break
Leeds United advantage could be difference for Jesse Marsch as home form builds
