Leeds United have allowed four youngsters to leave Elland Road on loan this month. It’s hardly a shock to see so many given the green light to further their development elsewhere, given Angus Kinnear’s words in his programme notes ahead of the Brentford clash.
The chief executive spoke of loaning players out to accelerate their ability to contribute in the Whites’ first team before pointing to the career path of Harry Kane, who enjoyed several loan spells before getting his Tottenham Hotspur breakthrough. As such, Leeds fans approached the final few days of the transfer window with the expectation that some players would be loaned out.
Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt both joined Championship clubs last week and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another youngster or two leave before the deadline on Tuesday night. Here’s a look at those looking to prove points elsewhere over the second half of the season.
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Joe Gelhardt- Sunderland
In truth, Gelhardt looks to be well placed to kick on over the second half of the season after joining Tony Mowbray’s promotion chasing Sunderland. Not only does Mowbray have a strong reputation of working with young players, but the Black Cats seemingly have an opening up front after seeing Ross Stewart leave the field with an Achilles injury on Saturday.
As such, Gelhardt could start on Saturday when Sunderland travel to Millwall, where Charlie Cresswell and Jamie Shackleton are on loan, and he’ll be determined to prove a point. It’s been a frustrating season so far for the youngster with minutes on the field being hard to come by.
Marsch has regularly looked his way, but he has regularly seen less than 10 minutes on the field with his 15 Premier League appearances yielding just 202 minutes of action. Sunderland are currently ninth in the Championship table, one point off the top six, and if Gelhardt can find form he could establish himself as a crowd favourite at the Stadium of Light.
That would be enough to see him return to West Yorkshire with a spring in his step and the confidence than he can compete for a spot in the starting XI at Elland Road.
Cody Drameh - Luton Town
Drameh’s chances of getting a promotion on his record appear to be slightly larger than Gelhardt’s, judging by the current Championship table. The Hatters are seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Norwich City and they have a game in hand, too.
There’s an opening for Drameh to start at Kenilworth Road as well following the departure of James Bree to Southampton and he’ll be determined to make the most of it by impressing, just as he did with Cardiff City last season. The youngster joined the Bluebirds last January and went on to win the club’s player of the year award.
A similarly strong showing would certainly send a message to Jesse Marsch, who has spoken highly of him at every opportunity this season despite handing him just one Premier League appearance. Drameh will be challenged week in, week out for the remainder of the season and he’s guaranteed to be better for the experience of spending time under Rob Edwards.
The route to Leeds’ right-back spot is blocked at present but if he can perform at Luton, he could give Marsch a huge dilemma when he eventually returns to United.
Leo Hjelde - Rotherham United
Like the above pair, Hjelde will be spending the remainder of the season in the Championship but it’s fair to say promotion is the not the target at Rotherham United. The Millers certainly have plenty to play for, though, as they battle to avoid the drop back down to League One.
Matt Taylor’s side are 20 th at present, five points above the relegation zone and Hjelde will be looking to help keep them in the division. He’s already made a promising start, playing a key role in the 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on his debut before helping the club to secure a 1-1 draw at Watford and while he is expected to be kept busy at the back, he’ll look to build on those performances as the season progresses.
Hjelde is highly thought of at Elland Road and he’s another who looks well placed to succeed and return to the club with confidence and belief that he can battle for a role in Marsch’s first-team.
Alfie McCalmont - Carlisle United
McCalmont made the move to Carlisle United on January 9 and he is approaching the end of his first month with the club. So far, he has made three appearances for the League Two outfit, but all three have come off the bench as he strives to break into the starting XI at Brunton Park.
This season has been a frustrating one for McCalmont, playing exclusively with Leeds’ Under-21s, despite being 22, before his switch to the North West. However, the move to Carlisle represents a real chance for him to build some momentum in his career and perhaps put himself in the shop window over the summer months.
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