Jaidon Anthony may have chance to save Leeds United career after new Dan James development
Leeds United have two games to secure their place in the Premier League next season, while that may sound simple, nothing is set in stone.
Daniel Farke’s side currently occupies a place in the automatic promotion places, but Ipswich Town are breathing down their neck with a game in hand. If the Whites don’t win their final two matches, it’s hard to see them going up automatically.
With the pressure on, Dan James’ injury couldn’t have come at a much worse time. The Welsh international headed straight down the tunnel after the win at Middlesbrough and now has been ruled out of the clash with QPR on Friday (26 April).
While the absence of the winger will come as a major blow to Leeds in their push for promotion, it could open the door for Jaidon Anthony to breathe new life into his career at Elland Road after a number of weeks on the periphery.
The Bournemouth loanee has made 29 appearances in the Championship this season, but only two of those have seen him named in Farke’s starting XI. He has managed to score once in his 439 minutes of action but he is now little more than a rotation option.
Will Leeds United sign Jaidon Anthony from Bournemouth in the summer transfer window?
Leeds United did not include an option to buy in Anthony’s initial loan switch from the south coast club and Cherries boss Andoni Iraloa has already confirmed that he is looking forward to having the 24-year-old back at the Vitality.
But should the winger finish the season strongly, which is now possible with James sidelined, it could push Leeds into considering a permanent move come the end of the season.
The final two games of the campaign will define the Whites’ season and potentially Anthony’s loan spell. If he can pop up with a goal or two against either QPR or Southampton, he could fire Leeds to the Premier League and change the narrative around his switch.
Regardless of whether or not the 24-year-old grasps this opportunity with both hands remains to be seen, but he has the opportunity to save his spell at Elland Road and potentially earn a permanent move.
In other Leeds United news, one Sky Sports pundit was blown away by what “sensational” Junior Firpo did against Middlesbrough
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