Noel Whelan makes admission about Leeds striker Tyler Roberts

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Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 29/2; 14:35) that he is now wondering whether Tyler Roberts could be a striker option for Leeds United after the Wales international bagged a stunning brace in the Whites’ 4-0 win over Hull City.

With Jean-Kevin Augustin injured, Roberts was named on Leeds’ bench as their backup striker option once again.

And it may have surprised some Leeds fans when the forward came on for Patrick Bamford with around 25 minutes remaining at the KCOM Stadium.

But Roberts vindicated Marcelo Bielsa’s decision in remarkable fashion. Leeds were 2-0 up when the 21-year-old came on. And he went on to put the icing on the cake.

His first goal was superb finish after Mateusz Klich laid the ball off inside the box. And the same two players linked up again for the final goal as Klich’s sumptuous cross allowed Roberts to unleash his inner Robin van Persie and produce a wonderful diving header.

And Whelan conceded after the full-time whistle that Roberts’s display has left him questioning whether he had written him off too soon in the past.

“Those two goals would have given him great confidence now and belief in himself. And he’ll want more of that, he’ll want that taste more because it’s great when you hit the back of the net, that feeling that goes through your body,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“Now I’m maybe thinking is he a centre forward? Is he someone who can come and play there? Because I doubted him. And I’m not afraid to say that. I wasn’t sure whether he could play that target man role, that centre-forward, lone striker role, taking care of two centre-halves.”

TBR View – Roberts stepping up again

It has been another tough campaign for Roberts. He has made just four league starts this season, with injuries playing their part in restricting his game-time.

The youngster provided a glimpse of his quality during Leeds’s win over Queens Park Rangers in November. And it is easy to forget how good he was during the latter stages of last season.

It would be a huge boost for Leeds if Roberts is ready to provide support for Bamford. There are concerns about how much Augustin is going to contribute during his time on loan. So Roberts stepping up could make a big difference as Leeds look to get across the line.