By Noel Whelan

25th Jan, 2021 | 1:03pm

Exclusive: Whelan wowed by Leeds loanee sighting - 'The club have high hopes...'

Noel Whelan has heaped praise on Leeds United youngster Robbie Gotts after he starred for his loan club Salford City on Friday.

The former Whites and Coventry striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said that the 21-year-old is an “exciting” player who the club have “high hopes for in the future”.

The midfielder scored his first goal for the Ammies in a 2-2 with Harrogate Town – a smart finish after an impressive 15-pass sequence from the League Two side.

It was just his second appearance for Salford since joining on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign.

Gotts spent the first half of the season at League One Lincoln City but was recalled by Leeds United earlier this month due to a lack of game time.

When asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on the midfielder’s display and future, Whelan said: “Very promising signs.

“The club know that they have a quality player on their hands in Robbie, it is just about finding the right fit for him. He is a player that is exciting and is one that the club have high hopes for in the future.

“This is when he needs to go onto that next level. He needs to find another level of performances and get some proper game time. This is his chance to grow from a boy into a man in terms of football.

“He needs to start controlling games, standing out and taking ownership of that side.

“No matter how young you are you need to step up to that level and show Salford why you are at a Premier League club.”  

In other news, Noel Whelan is fretting over one big name ahead of Marcelo Bielsa’s side’s trip to Newcastle.