OPINION
Leeds United have been handed a major promotion boost by the return to training today (Monday) of Jack Clarke.
The 18-year-old forward has missed the last four matches after falling ill and being rushed to hospital during the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside last month.
Clarke’s agent Ian Harte, the former Leeds left-back, took to his personal Twitter account on Friday evening to reveal that Clarke is back in the first-team fold at Thorp Arch today after sitting out training in recent weeks.
Good luck to @LUFC tonight! Hopefully get the 3pts and delighted that @JackClarke09 will be back with first team Monday. #MOT
— Ian Harte (@ianharte23) March 1, 2019
His return is brilliant news for Leeds’ promotion hopes and for those who have come to admire one of the most shining teenage talents in the English game.
Clarke has made a huge impact since being fast-tracked into the senior side during the autumn, providing an added dimension to an attack that had been short of blistering pace and youthful vigour.
At Leeds, Marcelo Bielsa has showed great faith in the youngster, and his performances have attracted admiring glances from the Premier League elite.
United reportedly snubbed multi-million pound offers for the teenager in January, and speculation is rife they will return to the bidding table in the summer.
Clarke is a player in demand, but, for now, the most satisfying news is that he is healthy and ready to train fully again after convalescing.
His return will provide Bielsa with a potent attacking weapon during the promotion run-in, and will further energise a side that produced one of their most memorable performances for years in demolishing West Brom on Friday night.