Leeds United ace Ian Poveda is set to receive a big opportunity to show Jesse Marsch what he is capable of at Elland Road.
That is according to reporter Graham Smyth, who believes the winger is now set to return to Blackburn Rovers for the final part of the campaign.
Does Poveda have a future at Leeds?
Yes
No
The youngster’s season has been severely hampered by injury after picking up an ankle problem back in November which saw his loan spell with the Championship outfit halted.
However, having recovered from his surgery, the 22-year-old is set to return to Ewood Park as Tony Mowbray’s side look to land a spot in the Championship play-offs.
And Smyth believes Poveda will be looking to show Marsch what he can do on the pitch ahead of the summer window as he aims to break back into the Premier League side’s plans:
“The hope is that Poveda is now in condition to add something to Blackburn’s squad for the final push for promotion and meetings with Preston North End, Bournemouth and Birmingham City,” Smyth wrote in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
He continued: “Beyond that, Poveda will be one of those hoping to return and catch the eye of Jesse Marsch at Thorp Arch this summer. Leeds director of football Victor Orta made a point of insisting Poveda’s future remained at Elland Road when the loan deal was initially signed.”
TIF Thoughts on Smyth’s comments…
It has certainly been a difficult season for the Leeds man with the injury setting him way back, having spent the large majority of the campaign being sat on the sidelines.
Given the injury was such a long-term issue, it is difficult to see Poveda returning straight into Mowbray’s plans but could potentially feature off the bench.
And we think Poveda shouldn’t be thinking too much about proving himself to Marsch just yet, rather focusing on making sure he returns to the action without any setbacks, especially as his short-term Leeds future appears to be relatively secure.
In other news: Shocking: £1.8m-rated star should be embarrassed over Leeds v Watford footage – opinion