Brighton loanee Ben White will have played enough minutes for Leeds United to stop his parent club recalling him in January but there could be other issues, according to Phil Hay from The Athletic. 

The 22-year-old arrived at Elland Road on a season-long loan in the summer and has become an integral player for the Whites.

White has been asked to do the difficult job of replacing experienced centre-back Pontus Jansson and has excelled.

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The defender has featured in every game for Leeds this season, helping them to concede the least goals and keep the most clean sheets in the division, as well as winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for August.

There have been concerns from fans in recent weeks that his great form may mean Brighton look to recall him in January, especially given the recent injury to Adam Webster.

In a Q&A for The Athletic, Hay addressed the situation concerning White's future at the club.

Asked if his loan at Leeds was secure for the full season, He said: "It's secure in the sense that he'll have played enough to stop Brighton activating a recall clause.

"But say, for example, a big Premier League club were to make an offer which Brighton accepted and White said he wanted to go? Then things become complicated. I'm being purely hypothetical here."

Hay was also pressed on whether White could have a long-term future at the club.

He said: "That's down to Brighton.

"If Leeds go up they'd have the money to do it but really, why would Brighton relinquish a defender so good? It would be counter-intuitive. I'm with you–he's been superb so far."

White has helped Leeds to climb to third in the Championship after 15 games.

They face Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday, knowing that a win could mean they head into the international break at the top of the Championship.

The Verdict

With all the recent concern about White getting recalled in January, Hay's comment should provide Leeds fans with a bit of comfort.

There is still a chance a big club may move for the defender when the transfer window opens but that seems slightly unlikely given he has no top-flight experience and only 15 Championship games under his belt.

It's hard to disagree with Hay about White's long-term future, would Brighton really be willing to let him go?

They do have some impressive young centre-backs, including the likes of Webster and Matt Clarke, which may provide the Whites with a glimmer of hope.