Ben Parker reacts to Joe Gelhardt assist for Leeds U21s

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Ben Parker has labelled Joe Gelhardt outrageous and called his assist for Leeds United’s under-21s in their latest Papa John’s Trophy clash illegal while on commentary for LUTV on Tuesday night.

Mark Jackson’s men lost a pulsating game away at Salford City to miss out on making the knockout stages of the competition.

Leeds were poor defensively. But some of their football going forward was absolutely sensational, with Gelhardt lining up alongside Sam Greenwood and Amari Miller, and behind Max Dean.

It was Gelhardt who provided both of the assists. Both were superb pieces of composure from the 19-year-old. But the second in particular reminded everyone why the forward is being tipped for such big things.

He fooled the defender by letting a throw in run past him before bursting into the box and sliding the ball to Greenwood for Leeds’ second.

And Parker suggested that Gelhardt is simply too good for that sort of level when he is capable of producing moments of magic like that.

“That’s illegal. Honestly, someone come and take Gelhardt away from this match right now because what he just did was just outrageous,” he told LUTV.

“Honestly, I can’t tell you how good that skill from Gelhardt is. Unreal,” he went on to add.

Gelhardt getting closer and closer to becoming permanent first-team player at Leeds

Gelhardt has already shown that he can make an impact in the Premier League. He changed the game after coming on against Wolves last month.

He certainly looks set to be a player that Marcelo Bielsa turns to more and more often in the months ahead.

And it is surely fair to say that he is getting closer to becoming a permanent fixture in the first-team squad.

He has little more prove for the under-21s or under-23s. But that is clearly not stopping the youngster continuing to steal the show whenever he gets the opportunity.