According to Leeds Live, Leeds United are still weighing up a permanent move for Matthew Pennington, despite missing the deadline to secure his service permanently during the January transfer window.

Leeds failed to make Pennington’s loan move from Goodison Park permanent over the course of the last month, but Thomas Christiansen remains keen to strike a deal with Everton when the transfer window opens again in the summer months.

So far during his loan spell at Elland Road, Pennington has made 12 Sky Bet Championship appearances for Leeds, with just five of those coming in the starting XI, as injuries plagued his first-half of the season.

Regardless of his game time, Christiansen has been impressed with the 23-year-old’s Elland Road contribution and is keen to add him permanently at the expiration of his loan deal.

Pennington had been in-line for his sixth start of the season against Hull City on Tuesday night, but was ruled out through injury, with Leeds now facing a shortage of central defenders ahead of this weekend’s clash with Cardiff City.

Christiansen is sweating on Pennington’s fitness, with the Leeds boss hopeful the defender is fit enough to line-up alongside Pontus Jansson in central defence.

The Verdict

Leeds’ supporters haven’t seen enough of Pennington to justify the club making a permanent move for him, they will have to take Christiansen’s word on what the defender has done in training.

Pennington needs to make an impact at Elland Road in the coming weeks, with Leeds short on numbers in defence.

If the 23-year-old makes a positive impression and Leeds move to sign him, it could be a solid start to the summer transfer window for the Whites.

Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!