Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has revealed why he decided to bring Jack Clarke back into the fray following his first Championship appearance of the season.
The 18-year-old came on as a second half substitute in the Whites 2-1 win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road today.
Clarke has been something of an outcast this season, with his only previous opportunities coming in the Carabao Cup.
The teenager proved a useful weapon for Bielsa in the 2018/19 campaign, making 22 appearances, and was bought by Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of around £10 million in the summer.
The winger was sent back to Elland Road on a season-long loan but has not appeared part of Bielsa's plans for the majority of the campaign.
Following his first league appearance since May, the Argentine coach explained why he had decided to utilise Clarke against the Hatters.
Speaking to Leeds Live, he said: "We are always looking for different options: Pablo Hernandez and Helder Costa on the right, Tyler Roberts and Pablo in the middle, Jack Harrison, Costa, and Clarke on the left.
"The three places where the offensive play grows or stops because Patrick Bamford is less involved in the build-up and more in the finish. Mateusz Klich, Luke Ayling, and Stuart Dallas had impact from behind. I wanted to refresh the two wingers and playmaker."
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The Whites 2-1 victory sees them climb up into second place in the Championship, as Preston North End suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Derby County.
Leeds now face a midweek trip to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading, knowing that a win could see them go top of the Championship–if results elsewhere go their way.
The Verdict
It's interesting to hear Bielsa's breakdown of how he sees his attacking options and where exactly Clarke fits into that.
In all honesty, the teenager looked very rusty and didn't make much of an impact when he came on, which is understandable given his time away from the first team.
It will be telling to see whether Clarke is the man to drop out of the side when Eddie Nketiah is back fit. If he is, I can't see any way that he doesn't get recalled in January.