Leeds centre-forward Tyler Roberts has vital role in promotion hunt

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Noel Whelan has explained he doesn’t believe that Leeds United ace Tyler Roberts is the answer to the club’s attack and feels they should sign an extra centre-forward in January.

The 19-year-old is considered the third-choice striker at Elland Road this season, but opportunities have come about due to injuries to senior pair Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford.

Pundit Whelan has suggested on Twitter that Leeds would be better off with a more experienced option in reserve rather than Roberts for the second half of the season.

But Whelan’s comments are way off the mark and Roberts has already proven he will play an important role in the push for a return to the Premier League.

The Wales international has scored three goals in eight league matches this season for the Whites, which included a winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Hull City.

Roberts has already made direct contributions to the Leeds point tally and helped them up to second in the Championship table.

He now finds himself stuck behind talisman Kemar Roofe in the side and the imminent return of Bamford is likely to only lessen his game time even more.

But the pacy centre-forward is applying pressure on his attacking teammates to perform, as they know they have a big upcoming talent just behind them waiting for an opportunity.

He has already made a positive impact in Marcelo Bielsa’s side and it would be no surprise to see him called upon again later in a gruelling 46-game season.

Roberts is certainly not the finished article, but is filling a credible role in the squad and is only going to get better.