Monk responds when asked about Leeds summer signing who is frozen out
By Dominic Toner
Leeds manager Garry Monk has claimed that fringe player Matt Grimes is still very much in contention, despite not featuring in the Championship since mid-December.
The 21-year-old completed a move to Elland Road in the summer on a season-long loan switch from Premier League club Swansea.
The central midfielder has made 12 appearances across all competitions this season, but has been frozen out of the team recently.
He has not featured in the league since 13 December against Reading and has not been involved in a Championship matchday squad in 2017.
Monk was asked about Grimes’ position in the squad and responded by saying players will have phases of going in and out of the side.
“All the players are very much involved, throughout the season there will be people in and out of squads,” Monk said, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Lee Sobot on his personal Twitter account.
Grimes has found it difficult to break into the team for the league campaign, but did complete 90 minutes in both FA Cup matches in January.
The Englishman helped the Whites edge past Cambridge United 2-1 in the third-round, but was a part of the team that were knocked out by non-league Sutton in the next round.
He is competing for a midfield spot in a very competitive Leeds squad, with the likes of Liam Bridcutt, Eunan O’Kane, Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips ahead of him in the pecking order.
Grimes will hope to force his way back into the squad and play a role in the club’s bid for promotion, with the Yorkshire giants currently occupying a play-off spot in fifth.
In other Leeds news, the club’s long-term absentee is close to a comeback.
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