This is why Joe Gelhardt is missing from Leeds U23s clash v Wolves – Joe Urquhart
Leeds United under-23s travelled to Wolves on Friday afternoon knowing that they could take a big step towards topping the Premier League 2.
The young Whites started the clash 10 points clear and wanted to extend their gap to third-placed Wolves who currently have three games in hand.
Mark Jackson had a number of senior players to call upon, with Ian Poveda, Gaetano Berardi and Rodrigo all involved in the squad.
One player who was missing though was Joe Gelhardt.
The young striker has shined since arriving from Wigan in the summer but didn’t even make the bench for the crunch clash this afternoon.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Gelhardt has taken to his personal Twitter account to explain why he is likely missing, and it isn’t bad news.
“For those worried, 23s policy is to often rotate – Gelhardt etc most likely in training with the first XI,” he said.
“… or given the day off.”
Promising news.
Could Gelhardt finally be about to get his Premier League debut for the Whites after a month of waiting on the bench and watching the likes of Niall Huggins do just that?
He certainly deserves it.
The young striker makes the Premier League 2 look easy, and is setting that division alight as he currently sits as the club’s top scorer alongside Sam Greenwood.
Gelhardt could have big competition though, with Rodrigo going goal-crazy on his return to action, firing two goals home in the opening 15 minutes.
Patrick Bamford has recently compared him to Wayne Rooney, and it could finally be time for him to prove that on the big stage against West Ham on Monday.
In other Leeds United news, here is how the under-23s lined up for the clash with Wolves