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Secret Leeds United contract talks with Jamie Shackleton suspected - Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Paul Robinson “suspects” that Leeds United will already in contract talks “behind the scenes” with Jamie Shackleton.
The 24-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer but after a campaign on loan last season at Millwall, and few expectations over his long-term future at Elland Road when he returned, the versatile midfielder has been turned to a number of times by Daniel Farke.
The German used Shackleton on the wing earlier in the season when injuries and transfer hold-outs had severely reduced the manager’s options, and has since asked him to fill in at both full-back spots more recently, so Robinson believes that if he’s played well then the Whites should “reward him with a new contract”.
The Sky Sports pundit exclusively told MOT Leeds News: “I think he’s done well this season. I think with the contract situation the club will reward him I’m sure.
“We’re not privy to the information but I suspect there’s probably talks going on behind the scenes.
“There’s no reason to allow your better players and the players that are playing every week to leave the football club.
“The club’s in a great place at the moment, sitting really nicely in the league, playing particularly well, and there’s a reason for that, it’s the players that are on the pitch.
“If he’s playing that well then reward him with a new contract.”
Shackleton isn’t the best in the squad at any position but his ability to put in a solid performance at a number of them has proven very useful to Farke.
Versatility tends to be invaluable to any manager so it would be no surprise if the German had asked Leeds United to keep the squad man around.
At the very least it would seem short-sighted to see him depart on a free transfer after proving his worth on the pitch this year, so a short extension would make sense even if he isn’t expected to be central to the long-term plans at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been told to open negotiations immediately to complete signing of Premier League ace while “there’s money at the club”.