Daniel Farke made an impassioned speech about how he is the man to back when promoting young players to the first team during his Leeds United press conference on Thursday.
The German gaffer was asked about calls for Harry Gray to be given a chance in the Premier League, after Gray scored a hat-trick for the 21s on Tuesday in a National League Cup win against Scunthorpe United.
A tap-in, a free-kick and a beautiful drive from 25 yards out saw fans mesmerised, taking his tally to seven goals in six U21 appearances this season. Farke responded to the Gray question by going through his CV.
He said his first job in Germany’s third tier was focused on promoting youth. He highlighted his work in Dortmund’s academy, bringing Archie Gray through and starting Mateo Joseph over Joel Piroe last term.
Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesDaniel Farke includes new U21 star in senior Leeds training
Just this week, U21 captain Alfie Cresswell was handed a three-year contract. Farke believes there is more to come from Cresswell, having called up Rhys Chadwick to senior training ahead of the trip to Fulham.
Farke has Gray, Cresswell, and Chadwick knocking on the door, with Chadwick involved in pre-season with the first team. Now, 18-year-old Harvey Vincent was spotted in senior training in the club’s latest video.
Vincent’s call-up came after he played against Scunthorpe alongside Cresswell, Gray and Chadwick in the win over Scunthorpe. His inclusion could be because Willy Gnonto and Dan James are “major doubts”.
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Harvey Vincent has returned from a long-term injury at Leeds
Before coming on as a sub at half-time against Scunthorpe’s senior side, Vincent had not actually played for the U21s since April. A 2-1 National League Cup win over Sutton, in which he came off on 76 minutes.
But that did not stop Leeds from offering Vincent, who boasts caps for England’s U16 side, a two-year deal in the summer. The contract for the red-headed winger was his first professional contract.
Whether Vincent will be in the squad on Saturday remains to be seen and is largely unlikely. But with James and Gnonto both possibly missing, Leeds are not well-stocked out wide going into Wolves away.