By Joe Ellis

24th Sep, 2022 | 12:10pm

Leeds United ace Jack Harrison could have been England game-changer v Italy

England saw themselves relegated from the top division of the Nations League on Friday but could a Leeds United star have made a difference?

Jack Harrison has started the season in excellent form at Elland Road and has more goal contributions than Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, who started at the San Siro in the Three Lions’ 1-0 defeat to Italy.

Gareth Southgate chose to overlook the 25-year-old in his latest international squad and it has backfired on him already as he might have been the man to change their fortunes in Milan on Friday.

Harrison possesses an industry and grit that none of the attackers in the squad have as they all play for the big teams in the country who don’t need to fight for their results as hard as Leeds United often do.

The sheer dismal performance in front of goal would have been far bettered with Harrison playing out wide over someone like Phil Foden who is too interested in the fancy goal than just scoring.

But one team’s loss is another gain and Jesse Marsch will be delighted that his star man of the season so far has been able to rest for the best part of a month and get over any small niggles he may have been playing with.

Harrison now has until early November to prove Southgate wrong and force his way onto the plane to Qatar for the World Cup where he will hope to be the man to help England to glory.

Whether he goes or not, he will need to be at the top of his game when the season resumes on Boxing Day and all attention returns to league action.

In other Leeds United news, there could be a start for another winger at Thorp Arch when Aston Villa visit LS11 next weekend.