Can Jack Jenkins target first-team debut at Leeds this season?

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Leeds United have sent out a further statement regarding one of their academy prospects by announcing on their official website on Thursday that Jack Jenkins has signed a new contract at Elland Road.

Jenkins is starting to feature more prominently for the Whites’ under-23s this season, having already made five appearances for the under-18s. He has featured eight times for Carlos Corberan’s men.

And Leeds have arguably sent out a significant message with the new deal. The Championship high-flyers have confirmed that Jenkins – who only signed a professional contract in January – is now set to stay until 2023.

The length of the deal certainly suggests that Leeds have high hopes for the 18-year-old. And he will be hoping to vindicate their faith in the coming weeks and months for the under-23s.

But perhaps Jenkins should also have his sights set on pushing towards the periphery of the first-team fold by the end of the season.

Marcelo Bielsa has shown that he is willing to trust younger players. While Robbie Gotts has not made his senior debut, he has been named in 11 matchday squads in the Championship this season.

And given that Jenkins is also capable of playing in central midfield, perhaps he may find that a few good performances for the under-23s sees a buzz start to build.

Leeds are currently looking light in the middle of the park. Stuart Dallas has filled in while Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton have been absent. And while Shackleton is now back, Bielsa issued some concerning comments about Forshaw’s injury in his latest press conference (via Leeds Live).

There are still plenty of obstacles for Jenkins to clear. But Leeds do have a small squad. And the Whites will soon also have FA Cup ties to factor into their plans. It is not out of the question for the teenager to target a substitute appearance or two before the campaign concludes.

Leeds look to have confirmed that Jenkins is one to keep a very close eye on moving forward. Perhaps there is reason to wonder if he could be one of the next academy prospects, along with the likes of Charlie Cresswell and Oliver Casey, to really push himself further onto Bielsa’s radar.