Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan is concerned that the club could lose on-loan trio Ben White, Eddie Nketiah, and Jack Clarke in January. 

The majority of the players signed by the Whites in the summer arrived on temporary deals, with six loanees joining Marcelo Bielsa's first-team squad.

White joined on loan from Brighton and has been an integral figure in the backline, featuring in every game this season, helping the side to concede the fewest goals and keep the most clean sheets in the division, and winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for August.

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Arsenal loanee Nketiah has been restricted to Carabao Cup starts and substitute appearances but has scored some important goals for the Whites and is the side's joint-top scorer.

Clarke, who was sold to Tottenham Hotspur and returned to Elland Road on a season-long loan, has not featured once in the Championship this season.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan revealed that he was concerned that the trio could be recalled by their Premier League parent clubs in January, leaving Leeds in a difficult position.

He said: "Losing the loan players in January is a big fear for Leeds. The parent clubs have all the power.

"We could lose Jack Clarke as he’s not played at all and Tottenham are likely to take him back and send him out on loan to another Championship club, where he can play more regularly.

“Obviously, the Nketiah one has been talked about a lot as he’s made a big impact but is still waiting for his first Championship start.

“Ben White is different as he’s played every game. The worry is not so much that Brighton will want him back, but that big Premier League clubs will make them an offer they can’t refuse."

Leeds are third in the Championship as things stand, just two points back from league leaders West Bromwich Albion.

The Verdict

I can understand Whelan's concern as losing the likes of White and Nketiah could be a huge blow to Leeds' promotion chances.

Clarke has been the casualty of the Whites taking too many players on loan this summer and having been given very few opportunities is almost certain to return to Spurs in January, though that doesn't look like it will have a huge effect.

Nketiah is understood to have a recall clause based upon how often he features for Leeds but Bielsa has suggested that the decision will likely be up to the player in January.

It's a completely different issue with White. There have been reports that big clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United are tracking the defender, so if one of those comes with a big offer it's difficult to see Brighton rejecting the bid, which would leave Leeds' loan deal in dangerous territory–that seems unlikely but it is by no means off the cards.