Jack Clarke has been a major miss for Leeds United ever since he complained about feeling unwell in the dugout against Middlesbrough. He was stretchered off to a hospital immediately and ever since; the winger has been out of action. Reports from Sky Sports now states that the 18-year-old has resumed first-team training. However, it is expected that Bielsa will not rush him back into the first team soon.
Clarke had to be given oxygen and matters looked bad during the away tie against Boro. However, after being treated in the hospital, he was released on the same day. So that indicates that things weren’t too serious. But it always makes sense for the club to take precautionary measures before he is thrust back into the in the first team.
The young winger even went on to attract attention from Premier League heavyweights like Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer market after his impressive cameos for the Whites.
The Whites would hope that Clarke can play some role in the ongoing season as the club does not have many options after they failed to sign Daniel James in January. The fans though shouldn’t expect much for the next few more weeks as he is likely to be streamlined slowly into the first team after being out of action since early February.
The English youngster has been influential in his performances, but there have been occasions where he was below par as well. However, one should remember he is still just 18 and is learning the trade. The winger has often been at his best when he came off the bench to turn the game around. We believe Bielsa is likely to use him in that role when he becomes a hundred per cent fit.
One of the features of Clarke’s game is his directness and ability to drive the ball forward. Often young players are afraid to take on their man and choose the safer options. However, Clarke always backs himself, and his pace and dribbling skills often have troubled defenders of opposition teams.
However, what has set him apart is his calmness in the final third and ability to make the right decision. No wonder that almost all the Premier League heavyweights have been linked with him at some point in time. The 18-year-old still has a considerable role to play at the business end of the season, and the fans and the manager would be glad that he is back in training.
