Wayne Veysey

Fri 30 March 2018 11:22, UK

By Richard Parks

Former Leeds United defender Ian Harte has revealed on Twitter that wonderkid Jack Clarke will miss the team’s Championship clash against Bolton Wanderers today – and fans have expressed their disappointment.

Harte, who is a football agent and has close connections to the United academy, took to his personal social media account this morning to wish Clarke the best of luck in a youth tournament in Spain over the Easter period.

The striker, 17, will fly out today with Leeds Under-17s squad today and miss the matches against Bolton and next Tuesday’s fixture against Fulham.

There have been growing calls on social media for Clarke to be included in Paul Heckingbottom’s first-team plans after excelling for the club’s Under-23s side in recent weeks.

The poor performances of the senior side, coupled with the teenager’s penetrative performances for youth team en route to four consecutive wins, has convinced many that he is worth promoting following fellow academy products Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Tom Pearce.

But Clarke will have to wait for his chance, and United supporters will have to be patient in their desire to see him get a first-team chance.

One said he was “gutted” that the forward will not be in the squad against Bolton and Fulham, while others said he will “rip it up” and “tear it up” for the Under-17s.

Here is a selection of their messages on Twitter:

In other Leeds United news, 13 players are fighting for their jobs as behind-the-scenes planned laid for huge cull.

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