Leeds United news: Pundit thrilled by ‘brilliant’ Lewis Bate training ground image
Noel Whelan was thrilled to see Lewis Bate in first-team training for Leeds United this week.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 19-year-old needs to be integrated into the side as he looks to make his mark in the senior squad.
Bate took to Twitter on Thursday (3 February) to post a picture of himself in first-team training alongside Mateusz Klich.
Whelan insisted he was delighted to see the teenager honing his craft alongside international talent.
Reacting to Bate’s post, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It’s brilliant. This is why you have your pathway from your under-23s to build through into the first team.
“This season we’ve had lots of injuries and had to rely on these young, talented players that have done so well for Mark Jackson.
“They’re now coming through and working alongside the international midfield players like Klich and Kalvin Phillips.
“That will only make them better players and make them feel more part of that first team. Sometimes you’re like a rabbit in the headlights when you’re working next to first-team players.
“There’s a lot of respect, but you’ve got to make sure you don’t give them too much because you’re looking to take their place.
“The things they’ll be learning from them by just being in and around them, taking part in training next to them, will make them better players and more confident players in themselves as well.”
Bate has been on the fringes of the senior side since his summer move from Chelsea.
He has featured regularly for the under-23s.
The youngster was back in the starting XI for the latest game against Blackburn Rovers (24 January).
In other news, missing Leeds United star could be back ahead of schedule after training snaps.