England youth coach Paul Simpson was reportedly at Elland Road last night to watch Leeds United duo Ryan Edmondson and Jamie Shackleton playing for the club's U23s. 

Leeds U23s utilised multiple first-team players, including Shackleton, Jack Clarke and Liam Cooper, but were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley U23s in the Professional Development League North.

Edmondson headed home the opener in the 24th minute but Josh Benson equalised from the penalty spot in the 61st minute to ensure that the points were split.

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Carlos Corberan's U23s won the Professional Development League North title last season but have made a shaky start to the 2019/20 campaign and are eighth–trailing league leaders Nottingham Forest U23s by nine points.

Despite the inconsistent results, it appears some of the players have caught the attention of the England setup as, according to BBC journalist Adam Pope, Simpson was at Elland Road to watch Shackleton and Edmondson.

Shackleton has been a bit-part player for Marcelo Bielsa's first-team this season and made eight appearances prior to picking up a recent injury.

The 20-year-old has appeared three times for the England U20s in the past, with his most recent appearance coming against Guatemala U23s in September.

Edmondson has made three appearances for the England U19s, including scoring on debut against Greece U19s in September.

Simpson appears to be keeping tabs on the Whites pair ahead of the upcoming international break in November.

The Verdict

It shows the quality of the young players at the Yorkshire club that the England youth coach has been monitoring them recently.

It will surely be a boost for the duo's development to have them featuring for the National age-group sides.

Shackleton appears to be a trusted member of Bielsa's squad and looks set to play an important role for the first-team this season.

The path to the senior side is slightly more obstructed for Edmondson, who has both Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him.