Leeds talent Jamie Shackleton could still play crucial role in promotion bid

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Jamie Shackleton has made 22 senior appearances for Leeds United this season, but the academy graduate has mainly been used as a substitute.

The 19-year-old is a rising talent that has forced himself into first-team contention this campaign and has coming in useful due to his versatility.

He’s slotted in at full-back on several occasions to provide cover, but is a central midfielder by trade and that is where his long-term future should lie.

The Yorkshire-born ace hasn’t started a Championship match since December, but could be a secret weapon for manager Marcelo Bielsa still.

Leeds have eight league games remaining and need to try cut the one point to second-placed Sheffield United.

The promotion bid looks like going down to the wire and the Whites need to aim for maximum points in their games remaining.

Leeds have found success with Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Tyler Roberts roaming the centre of the park in recent games, but there is likely to be plenty more twists still ahead.

Shackleton is an ace up Bielsa’s sleeve that perhaps more opportunities in the team and impresses every time he features as a substitute.

The central midfielder would provide a freshness to the team during the league run-in and he’s definitely got an eye for a pass too.

Leeds don’t have the biggest of squads under Bielsa, which is why Shackleton is definitely a wildcard that could still have a vital impact and the manager has made him a regular in the senior set-up.