Leeds employee: Bate in line for debut v West Ham after news in last 24 hours
Noel Whelan has tipped Marcelo Bielsa to hand Lewis Bate his Leeds United debut in Sunday’s FA Cup clash against West Ham.
The former Leeds star and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the likes of Crysencio Summerville could also feature at the London Stadium.
As confirmed by Bielsa on Friday (7 January), Leeds have a host of injury problems to contend with.
Bate, a summer signing from Chelsea, is yet to feature for the first team at Elland Road.
Whelan suggested Bielsa could hand the 19-year-old his first taste of senior action on Sunday.
Asked which young players he thought could feature against West Ham, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think Summerville and Bate. We can see what they’re like in there.
“There are opportunities for plenty of players out there. The under-23s have been thriving again this season, taking bigger strides in the way they’re developing.
“I don’t think the manager and even Jacko (under-23s boss Mark Jackson) would afraid of sending them up to the first team to go and get some more experience.
“I think it’d be a great learning experience for them in a game like that in the FA Cup. They do need some help with experienced players, there’s no doubt about that.
“You can’t just throw out a team of under-23s at the London Stadium against a West Ham side. You just can’t do that.
“They need that confidence and reassurance as well. Knowing that you’re playing alongside some of the more experienced players gives them that. It helps give them that guidance they need.”
Bate has been on the substitutes’ bench for three Premier League games this season, including the win over Burnley.
Cresswell has made five appearances this term, while Summerville has made seven.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has dropped a ‘£240m’ Leeds United reveal after Andrea Radrizzani’s claim.