By support

23rd Nov, 2016 | 8:03am

Leeds coach: This emerging star is good enough to challenge for first-team spot

By Will Butcher

Leeds Under-23’s manager Jason Blunt has claimed that Tyler Denton could begin to challenge Charlie Taylor for the left-back slot in the first team.

Denton made his comeback from an ankle injury on Monday night in the development side’s 3-2 win over Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield, which was secured by a Marcus Antonsson hat-trick.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Blunt claimed that Denton’s return from injury could spark a first-team challenge for the left-back position from the 21-year-old.

“Tyler has been in and out with his injury, but his attitude has always been great,” Blunt revealed. “To get Tyler back is great. He’s an Under-21 but he spends most of his tome with the first team.

“It was really good to see him get some minutes and return from injury; he can start to push Charlie Taylor on the left hand side of the first team.”

Denton made his Leeds senior debut earlier this season, scoring a superb goal from 20 yards out in a 1-0 win against League Two outfit Luton Town that saw Leeds progress to the third round of the EFL Cup.

Leeds’ number 33 has failed to feature since that game though, with Taylor occupying the left side of defence in 19 league and cup encounters this season.

With Taylor only two yellow cards away from a one-match ban, Denton could be given a chance if Taylor incurrs a suspension.

Antonsson scored a superb hat-trick in difficult conditions on Monday, while Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas also featured for two-thirds of the game.

In other Leeds news, playoffs could be a real possibility if Monk brings in this available Celtic star.