Inside Elland Road: Defensive solidity is vital for Leeds Utd
Leeds United Under-21s were defeated by Nottingham Forest in York on Saturday.
Leeds United Under-21s striker Marley Wilson made his long-awaited return from injury on Saturday in a 2-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
The 20-year-old has been out for around two years due to injury but replaced Harry Gray in the 71st minute of Saturday’s Premier League 2 meeting. Leeds conceded goals either side of half-time to eventually lose out, with Gray on target for the young Whites 35 minutes in.
Gray was part of an exciting attacking trio at the LNER Community Stadium, with Sam Chambers and Rhys Chadwick either side of the 17-year-old. Leeds had bags of experience further back with 37-year-old Jonny Howson and Alex Cairns, 32, both starting.
Gray’s 35th-minute penalty cancelled out Archie Whitehall’s Forest opener but the away side went ahead for a second time in the 54th minute. Leeds pushed for another leveller and reintroduced Wilson to the fore mid-way through the second-half, but they were unable to break down their visitors.
“I thought it was a good game, a good game to come back to,” Wilson told LUTV after returning to action. “Obviously, it was a close game, so I had to come back, show what I had, show what I left with. We tried to get a goal, came close enough but we didn’t win the game.
“It has been difficult, to be honest. Two years out. It is tough. It is tough to take. First big injury. But I am back now so hopefully I can stay fit and see what the season brings for me.”
Leeds United U21s boss on Marley Wilson return
Having been out of action for so long, and during such a crucial period of development, Wilson will be managed carefully but the return to competitive football is a huge milestone. “It is going to take a lot of time for him to get back up to speed, after the amount of time he has been out,” head coach Gardner added.
“Just a massive well done to him for the effort that he has put in and also the staff behind the scenes that have worked really hard with him to make sure he has arrived back where he is now, and we are excited to have him.”
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While much of the focus at Under-21 level is on the likes of Gray and Chambers, Leeds had two hugely experienced players in Cairns and Howson. The pair have over 1,100 first-team appearances between them across the Premier League, EFL and domestic cups - and Gardner holds the pair in high regard.
“I thought he was excellent, Alex, and I really appreciate that he came down and played for us when we needed him,” the U21s boss added. “Him and Jonny have been massive off the pitch for us and massive on the pitch. You can’t help but learn from them.
“That is the whole point of them being here, to try and get some more insight into what it is like for them on a day-to-day basis as a first-team player. So, yes, really, really appreciative to both of them for being with us.”
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