Lewie Coyle is enjoying another spell away from Leeds United this season, with the right-back a regular feature for Fleetwood Town and Joey Barton in League One.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has found no room for Coyle in his squad, with Fleetwood taking the 24-year-old on loan on three consecutive occasions.
And, with the latest one due to expire in the winter window, the door appears open for Coyle to make the switch permanent.
According to Phil Hay at The Athletic it is a ‘fair bet’ that Coyle could move to Fleetwood on a permanent basis in January.
He told his Q&A over the weekend (17/11/2019, 3.33pm): “I'd say a full-time move to Fleetwood is a fair bet in January, if both sides can work the financials out.”
After 98 League One appearances for Fleetwood, we assess why Barton might want Coyle on a permanent basis in this FLW Spotlight…
Since debuting in a 2-0 win over Rotherham United in August 2017, Coyle has gone on to play 9,284 League One minutes for Fleetwood – 42 appearances in 2017/18, 41 appearances in 2018/19 and 15 so far this term.
The 24-year-old has registered 11 assists from right-back, whilst also delivering 297 accurate crosses.
An attack-minded full-back is a trademark of all successful sides in the modern-era, with Coyle not afraid to express himself in the final third.
However, more important is a full-back’s defensive ability, with Coyle robust with everything he does.
He’s won over 60% of his defensive duels since arriving at Fleetwood; impressive numbers considering he’s taken the step down into League One to make a name for himself in senior football.
In addition to that he’s made 547 interceptions and blocked 42 shots – two more outstanding contributions in those 98 league appearances.
Coyle is a player that’s found a home at Fleetwood after failing to make the grade at Leeds since Bielsa arrived.
His loan spell at Highbury expires in the January transfer window, with his Leeds deal then running out in the summer. A permanent move has been on the cards for some time and January looks the perfect time for the Whites to allow their academy graduate the chance to move on properly.