Leeds United loan striker Eddie Nketiah is frustrated at his current lack of game time but does not feel resentment towards manager Marcelo Bielsa, according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.

The 20-year-old has played just 24 minutes for the Whites since returning from injury in late November.

Nketiah joined on a season-long loan from Arsenal on transfer deadline day and has not started once in the Championship for the Whites.

Despite being restricted to substitute appearances in the league and Carabao Cup starts, the striker is Leeds' second-highest scorer this season–having scored just two goals fewer than Patrick Bamford.

It has been reported that Arsenal may look to recall the striker in January due to a lack of opportunities, potentially to send him on loan elsewhere.

Speaking on The Phil Hay Show, Hay revealed that the 20-year-old's lack of game time was in part down to Bielsa's lack of sentimentality.

He explained: "There's no part of Bielsa that thinks I'm going to play him just to keep him happy. It's all part of one massive project.

"No minutes on Tuesday and you do start to wonder what is going to happen with him in January."

Hay revealed that he felt the Arsenal striker may return to the Premier League club in January.

He said: "Leeds have been briefing that he's very happy and I can't speak for him but I've spoken to people around him, people who know him, and I think there is frustration at the little amount of game time he is playing.

"I don't think there is any resentment or bitterness about it because you're in a position where Leeds are top of the league they've got 46 points, there isn't really any argument to be had with Bielsa's selection but equally it doesn't do much for Nketiah to sit around–as much as he is learning from Bielsa."

Leeds are flying in the Championship at the moment–sitting top of the league, 11 points clear of third place, and on a run of seven consecutive victories.

They welcome Cardiff City to Elland Road on Saturday, knowing that a win could see them open up a three-point gap on second-place West Bromwich Albion.

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The Verdict

Nketiah's mindset is a completely understandable one, given that he went on loan to Leeds to get first-team experience and is yet to make a league start for the club.

This issue is one that will continue to hang over the Whites until it comes to its resolution at some point in January, whether that is the striker leaving or staying put.

You feel if the 20-year-old did leave, the Yorkshire club would need to bring in someone to serve as Bamford's back up and to give them some attacking impetus from the bench–as Nketiah has on multiple occasions.