Heckingbottom reveals why Ekuban is starting for Leeds over Lasogga
Paul Heckingbottom confirmed that Leeds striker Caleb Ekuban was starting ahead of Pierre-Michel Lasogga "on merit".
Talking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Championship clash with Sunderland on Saturday, he also said that the other players "love him" and that "every player wants to do well, no matter what anyone says."
Heckingbottom was quoted by Phil Hay from the Yorkshire Evening Post on Thursday afternoon.
Leeds take on Sunderland in their next game, on Saturday at Elland Road.
Football Insider verdict:
Ekuban has scored one goal in 15 games in the Championship - hardly a return that will have the fans excited. However, he has been getting chances. The trouble is, he is missing them all at the moment. Lasogga has 10 goals in 28 games and looks far more the finished product, but he has only started one in the last four league games. That seems to say that he's on his way out when his loan finishes in June. The fact that Ekuban is loved by teammates is neither here nor there and is a bit of smoke and mirrors from Heckingbottom. What he should be saying is that there are a few games left before the end of a dismal season and that Ekuban has to be given a chance to find his feet before they seek out striker replacements in the summer.
In other Leeds news, Heckingbottom confirms Leeds U23 star set for senior debut v Sunderland