Leeds United have agreed upon a loan deal for their U19 striker, Mallik Wilks to League Two side, Grimsby Town. Wilks returned to Elland Road from his loan spell with another League Two side, Accrington Stanley in the January window and is being sent out against to guarantee his development into senior team football. It may be considered as a good move by the Leeds management as they look to resurrect their troublesome season by closing the gap between them and the playoff spots.
The Leeds-born forward featured on 24 occasions for Stanley this season and netted the ball five times. Upon his return, Thomas Christiansen only fielded the youngster as a substitute in the 3-0 win against Grimsby on December 30. Wilks has played for the U23 side but is not even close to being considered for the senior team, even with Christiansen currently struggling to find a regular goalscorer. Russell Slade will be eager to have the talents of the United youngster in the club ranks ahead of their clash against Luton Town on Saturday.
Grimsby Town have lost four of their last five and while the club is currently in the 16th spot of the League Two table, they have a rather ugly -11 goal differential. Their 35 points are nine points away from the relegation zone, meaning they should be safe, but they appear to be a club in the need of a goal-scoring threat. Sam Jones is the club’s top scorer with six goals, followed by Mitch Rose who has racked up 5 so far.
Wilks has a chance to break into the first team – exactly what both the player and the parent club wants. Grimsby have also made defensive restrengthening by signing Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, Jake Kean on loan.
The shot-stopper was released by Norwich City in the summer of 2016 and has never appeared for the Wednesday first team only to be sent out on loan to Mansfield Town in 2017.
The Leeds faithful will hope for their young prodigy to pick up some crucial English football experience in his time with the Lincolnshire club, ready to make a case for his selection into the first team next season. A traditional number nine should be prepared to chip on a regular basis and the best way to do so is by practising against weaker defenders in the lower tiers. The confidence will carry over to the Championship if the player is ambitious enough to work on his craft.
