Rising Leeds United star Harry Gray made his long-awaited return to competitive action for the under-21s as they played out a dramatic game against Brighton.
Harry Gray has had an eventful season with Leeds United as he continues to strive for his top-flight debut for the club.
Having made his first senior appearance at the end of the Championship season, Gray joined an exclusive Leeds club by being named in a Premier League matchday squad before his 17th birthday.
Gray last appeared in a competitive match on 29th September before a hip flexor injury ruled him out for several weeks, during which time he agreed a new “long-term” contract with Leeds.
Now, he has made his return to the playing field 24 hours after Leeds’ first team suffered a defeat against Brighton, as the two youth teams played out a dramatic draw.
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Harry Gray makes competitive return for Leeds United’s Academy
Leeds’ under-21s side met Brighton at the LNER Community Stadium, and Harry Gray played the full 90 minutes on his return to action.
The game ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, as Connor Douglas received an 80th-minute red card for Leeds as the Whites trailed 2-1 in the dying moments of the game.
Leeds fell behind in the 26th minute, but Rhys Chadwick pulled his side level from outside the box with veteran midfielder Jonny Howson providing the assist.
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The Whites then fell behind again before Douglas’ red card, but managed to grab a late equaliser through Harvey Vincent after a set piece from Jayden Lienou.
Gray could have completed a dream return, as he had a late chance to win the game. However, he missed with a late header in the 96th minute, as the game ended in a draw.
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Leeds United starlet will be relieved to make his return
Having missed nearly five weeks, either side of the most recent international break, Gray will be relieved to get back onto the field for Leeds’ academy side.
With two games coming up in the next nine days, the young forward will have plenty of opportunities to prove his fitness as he looks to force his way into the first team picture in the Premier League.
The under-21s’ next game is on 8th November as they face Nottingham Forest’s youth side at the LNER Community Stadium in York before they travel to the Wham Stadium to face Accrington Stanley in the English Football League Trophy.
Having scored a hat-trick in a win over Scunthorpe earlier this season, Gray will be hoping to rediscover his goal-scoring touch as he returns to full match sharpness.