By Nick Ware

25th Oct, 2021 | 7:35pm

Adrian Durham blown away by Leeds United sensation Joe Gelhardt, urges major Marcelo Bielsa decision

Adrian Durham has called for Joe Gelhardt to be afforded more game time at Leeds United after his Saturday heroics against Wolves.

Gelhardt, 19, was the inspiration behind the Whites claiming a point at Elland Road after his mazy dribble earned him a penalty, which Rodrigo dispatched to level the score at 1-1.

Speaking via his ‘Drive’ show on talkSPORT [25/10/21], Durham waxed lyrical over the teenager, but called on Marcelo Bielsa to hand him more opportunities.

“Joe Gelhardt for Leeds, was astonishing at the weekend,” Durham said. “This is somebody who is 19, he’s not even 20 until May.

“What a player this kid is going to be.

“Joe Gelhardt rescued Leeds and Bielsa, he was brilliant. By the way, he should be involved in far more games. I think he’s been a bit reluctant to use him because of his age, but get him in there.”

Let him fly

Gelhardt has been a star in the making for some time now, first making waves at Wigan before playing an instrumental role in Mark Jackson’s Leeds Under-23 side that swept all before them en route to last season’s Premier League 2 [Division 2] title.

However, Bielsa has shown a reluctance to throw Gelhardt in at the deep end, only handing the Scouser his Whites debut this season.

In fairness to ‘El Loco’, he has had the attacking talents of Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo to call upon, but with the duo either suffering from injuries or a loss of form, there should be no reason why Gelhardt cannot accrue more minutes now.

He showed on Saturday that he is not overawed by the Premier League and although it is a small sample size, Bielsa should feel confident in playing him now.

In other Leeds United news, Paul Robinson has vented his fury at this major incident against Wolves.