Phil Hay shares Joe Gelhardt recall update at Leeds United amid struggling Sunderland form
Leeds United cannot recall Joe Gelhardt from his loan at Sunderland, according to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay.
Writing on The Athletic website on Saturday (11 March), Hay reported that Gelhardt’s half-season loan at the Stadium of Light “doesn’t include a recall”.
Gelhardt joined the Black Cats in January and has since played seven times for them in the Championship, scoring one goal which came in a 2-1 defeat at Rotherham on 21 February.
That loss at Rotherham started a three-match losing run for Tony Mowbray’s side, who next face Norwich at Carrow Road on Sunday (12 March).
No go
Leeds have to stick with their striker options now.
They probably shouldn’t have loaned out Gelhardt in January anyway knowing that Patrick Bamford is continually injured and the fact that Georginio Rutter was going to need a bedding-in period.
Mateo Joseph has come off the bench twice in the Premier League since Gelhardt was sent out on loan but you’d imagine that Gelhardt would want more game-time than that if he did stay at Leeds.
He deserved it too.
Over the last couple of seasons, not many Leeds players have had as big an impact off the bench as Gelhardt had. Last season, his heroics as a substitute contributed massively towards avoiding relegation to the Championship.
He’s been thrown into the deep end at Sunderland because of Ross Stewart’s injury issues, meaning that the ex-Wigan teenager is starting every week regardless.
It’s been a baptism of fire for him and Sunderland’s terrible form is probably going to lead to fans getting on his back, which isn’t fair really.
We hope that the tides turn in the North-East for Gelhardt.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared a massive regret of the Elland Road faithful as the club made an official announcement a few days ago.
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