This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Player view’ series, this content strand is where we put ourselves in the shoes of a given player, and offer an opinion-based outlook on the perspective on the situation at hand...

When Tottenham Hotspur came calling for Jack Clarke in the summer, not many at Leeds United begrudged him the opportunity to sign for a side that reached last year’s Champions League Final – if anything he earned respect by returning to Elland Road on a season-long loan.  

Leeds had just missed out on promotion back to the Premier League, and Clarke’s message was clear: he had returned to Elland Road to win promotion with his boyhood club.

Whilst Leeds’ start under Marcelo Bielsa has been steady again and promotion is a possibility, Clarke is on the fringe and is yet to make a Championship appearance since returning from North London.

His only minutes have come in the League Cup, and when he’s featured in the Championship, it has been as an unused substitute.

However, there was a recall to the bench against Charlton at the weekend, due to Pablo Hernandez’s injury, and, Football Insider note that the Spaniard’s absence this evening gives Clarke another chance to be part of the matchday 18 against West Brom.

And, the 18-year-old has to view this selection as a chance to give himself a lifeline at Leeds, with talk of Tottenham recalling him in January already emerging.

Hernandez being out opens up a vacancy on the flank at Leeds, and although Jack Harrison and Helder Costa will likely start, neither are in blistering form, and should Bielsa find his side behind tonight, Clarke could be someone he turns to from the bench.

We know he’s got the ability to make life tough for Championship defenders – he proved that with two goals and two assists last season, with his impact from the bench particularly impressive.

But, it’s about adapting his game for this season and bringing something other than the predictable drop of the shoulder to Bielsa’s attacking armoury.

Tonight, therefore, could be the perfect opportunity for Clarke to get in on the act in the Championship, with Leeds’ other wide men faltering in the defeat to Charlton.

We know what Clarke’s ambitions are for the season, and although game-time is important to him, you can’t imagine he will want to leave Leeds prematurely after nailing his colours to the mast upon his return.

However, if he is to give himself a lifeline, he needs to take his chance whilst his competition is in the treatment room and struggling to light up Elland Road.

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