Leeds should hand Jamie Shackleton start in midfield v Hull

By Dom Toner

Leeds United’s hectic festive schedule has them at home to Hull City on Saturday in the Championship, where they go into the contest on the back of seven consecutive wins.

The Whites are top of the division due to their brilliant form and manager Marcelo Bielsa has had to juggle with his thin squad.

Bielsa should freshen it up against Hull, with ever-present midfielder Mateusz Klich in need of a rest.

Klich, 28, has not scored since October and the extreme work-rate he gets through in midfield is beginning to take its tole.

The Poland International could do with one start on the bench and that would open the door for one of his teammates.

(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Jamie Shackleton certainly deserves a shot in the starting XI in his favoured midfield position.

The 19-year-old has been an unsung hero at Elland Road so far this campaign by stepping up to the first team from the academy brilliantly to fill the void at right-back.

He’s shown his versatility at full-back with some mature displays in the Championship and Bielsa should give him a chance in the centre of the park.

Shackleton is technically sound in possession and will run the hard yards that fans are used to seeing Klich get through.

Leeds’ best XI certainly still deserves of Klich, but one game off could benefit him in the long run and Shackleton has put himself right in the mix.