Doncaster Rovers have opened talks with Leeds United over extending the half-season loan of Mallik Wilks, according to the Yorkshire Post.
The regional newspaper claim the League One club are keen to keep the striker, 19, for the entire campaign following his impressive start since arriving over the summer.
The Yorkshire Post report Doncaster have spoken to United representatives about extending Wilks’ six-month loan deal, which is due to expire on 2 January.
Good move for Leeds?
Extending the loan of Wilks could mean he will never play for his boyhood club again. The Leeds academy product is out of contract at the end of the season and there is likely to be extensive interest from Football League clubs. Wilks has scored four goals in 11 matches for Doncaster this season, three of which have come in the league, and has settled in well to life in England’s third tier. Leeds must act swiftly to extend Wilks’ contract before sanctioning another loan, which should help him continue to develop. He is a young player of huge potential and they need to keep him long term.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
There is certainly a good chance. Wilks is not only behind first team trio Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford – who is due to return from injury in January – and Tyler Roberts in the striker pecking order, but possibly Ryan Edmondson and Jack Clarke, too. The 17-year-old striker Edmondson was an unused substitute for the third consecutive match in Leeds’ 2-1 defeat to Birmingham on Saturday. It is difficult to see Wilks getting in team at the turn of the year.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10