OPINION
Jack Clarke was back in action for the Leeds Under-23s on Thursday night, ahead of a potential return to first-team action on Saturday. First-team manager Marcelo Bielsa said that he would consider whether to involve Clarke against Sheffield United after seeing how he got on for the Under-23s, and fans will now be keeping their fingers crossed that the dazzling youngster did enough. Most of the signs were positive. Clarke was named on the bench, along with Jamie Shackleton, which many fans think indicates both players will be in the squad on Saturday. Barry Douglas played the first 45-minutes before being subbed and will likely make the bench too. Clarke came on at half-time in the game and played the full 45 minutes against Fulham in the Premier League cup, along with extra-time after the game ended 2-2. That might actually count against him – although not as much as Izzy Brown, who played the full 120 minutes, and is unlikely to add to his nine-minute cameo for the first-team at the weekend. The game went to penalties in the end and Clarke scored en route to a 5-4 win for Leeds.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans to Clarke’s cameo and what that means for Saturday:
Clarke bench… defo in the squad for Saturday ?
— Nathan Phillips (@NathanP92) March 14, 2019
Clarke on the bench is promising, Brown and Berardi are a bit risky but they do need game time. Clarke, Shacks probs on bench for Saturday, hope shack is anyway, looks quality everytime he comes on and creates. How can I watch this match? is there a way to watch it online? MOT
— bensharp1846 (@bensharp1846) March 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChatLUFC/status/1106257206603902977
Clarke play a little bit tonight and then on bench Saturday you think? #lufc https://t.co/skgnvcev6j
— AE (@lufcarchie7) March 14, 2019
This either means they are saving Clarke for sat or we have a doubt in a wide position for sat, hence holding him back! #9gamestogopanic #LUFC
— Gareth (@mrgazlatico) March 14, 2019
Would love to see Jack Clarke be part of the Leeds squad for Saturday’s game, maybe start him on the bench then come on and score?#lufc #mot
— LUFC Connor? (@ConnorMOT92) March 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/Rossitt77/status/1106298916037906435
Clarke's pen #lufc pic.twitter.com/Iteq2ZlNzd
— your mums secret lover ? (@LUFC2023MOT) March 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/Carters_Paul/status/1106310408267194368