Why Wales announcement on Jayden Lienou will raise questions at Leeds United

Jayden Lienou faces what could be considered a wasted international break away from Leeds United.

The 18-year-old is highly thought of at Leeds, not least by manager Daniel Farke.

Farke gave Lienou a chance to impress with the senior side during the pre-season tour of the United States.

He was also part of matchday squads in the Premier League towards the end of last season.

It is perhaps not surprising that Lienou has now also been called up to a couple of Wales senior squads.

However, it may well be that he was better off joining up with one of the age-grade groups instead amid a new announcement from Wales.

Jayden Lienou again overlooked by Wales

It is all well and good Lienou is already part of the senior Wales set-up at the age of just 18.

But for the second game running, the full-back has now been left out of the 23-man squad for Sunday's UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark.

Three players needed to be left out, with Lienou again one of them, along with injured pair David Brooks and Joel Colwill.

It begs the question of whether the teenage defender would have been better off linking up with the Under-21s this window, or even the Under-19s.

If nothing else, Lienou would have got some regular minutes at international level, even if it is not with the senior side.

Of course, Lienou is still very young and his time will come. But it still seems like a waste if there are no plans for Wales to play him right now.

What has been said about Lienou?

Wales boss Craig Bellamy is one of those who has talked up Lienou's potential in the past.

Speaking in May after calling up the Leeds youngster for the first time, Bellamy said of Lienou: "I like him. I really like him.

"His profile - this player has got a really good chance of being a top player."

Nobody is realistically expecting Lienou to be challenging for a starting spot at Leeds right now.

The same is true with his national side.

Instead, it will make far more sense for Lienou to just continue his development with the U21s until he is deemed ready to feature for his country at senior level.