Fresh Leeds United injury opens door for ‘sensational’ Harry Gray development
Leeds United could give teenage academy star Harry Gray his competitive debut after Daniel Farke confirmed a new injury.
Leeds are three points clear at the top of the Championship table following their 1-1 draw with West Brom at Elland Road on Saturday, a result that brought their impressive five-match winning streak to an end.
Farke’s side also possess an eight-point buffer to third-placed Burnley – who have a game in hand – after being held by the Baggies, and with 11 games to go, the Premier League is firmly in their sights.
Injuries, however, are beginning to bite as the run-in approaches, with captain Ethan Ampadu out beyond the March international break and Farke confirming that his attacking ranks have also taken a fresh hit.
Farke has Leeds on course for a return to the Premier League (Credit: Imago)
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Speaking after United’s 1-1 draw with West Brom, Farke confirmed that Mateo Joseph will need a further injury assessment after rolling his ankle, potentially resulting in a spell on the sidelines for the Spaniard.
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With Patrick Bamford still to return to full team training – let alone match fitness – after picking up a seemingly minor hamstring injury, Farke could soon be left with only Joel Piroe to pick from up front.
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However, after home-grown academy starlet Gray was spotted in first-team training ahead of facing West Brom, Farke may be forced to lean on the 16-year-old as a genuine option in his depleted frontline in what would be a sensational development.
Mateo Joseph is the latest Leeds player to be beset by injury
Harry Gray debut could come sooner than expected at Elland Road
Although Farke will be hesitant to throw Gray in at the deep end if his Leeds side are in need of extra firepower up front, the German can create circumstances to give the teenager a stress-free debut.
Farke will point to Willy Gnonto and Daniel James being able to play as makeshift strikers if an alternative to Piroe is needed, but with no Joseph or Bamford, Gray is the next natural number nine available.
With 11 games left to go in the Championship title race and Leeds’ run-in being far less strenuous than the likes of Sheffield United and Burnley’s, promotion may well be wrapped up ahead of schedule.
Giving Gray minutes in potential dead-rubbers against Bristol City and Plymouth at season’s end could be the perfect environment for his family’s dynasty to continue, and give Leeds fans an insight into what the future could hold for a striker whose development has made him one of England’s best prospects.
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