during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion at John Smith's Stadium on December 9, 2017 in Huddersfield,...

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Izzy Brown return date could prove key for Leeds United

Mathew Nash

Sun 16 September 2018 9:55, UK Updated Sun 16 September 2018 16:01, UK

Leeds United completed a loan move for Chelsea attacker Izzy Brown on transfer deadline day, adding him to fellow Blues loanees Jamal Blackman and Lewis Baker at Elland Road.

It is something of a gamble, but on a player who was once tipped for great things.

His former youth coach at West Brom, Steve Hopcroft, where he was prior to a controversial Chelsea switch, believed he had the ability to one day be worth £40 million.

Leeds, however, have to wait. The attacker, who can play wide or through the middle, is still recovering from a knee injury and is not expected back in action until next month.

But Leeds will surely hope he is back sooner than that. The Whites are in something of a crisis offensively. They have lost Patrick Bamford until 2019 with a knee problem and when Kemar Roofe picked up a knock, it was clear Leeds are short in attack.

“He was the one that got away for me. The manager at the time, Steve Clarke, was ready to make him an integral part of the team.

“We had a potential £20-30-40 million player that the fans would have loved, full of flair and skill. He could on take six players from his own half and score.

“I was bitterly disappointed, as was everyone in the Academy. He’s still potentially a world-class player, the best we’ve lost, without a shadow of doubt.”

Tyler Roberts struggled to lead the line effectively and Leeds will hope Roofe is back for their next clash.

Speeding up Brown’s recovery, as safely as possible, could be key to solving Leeds’ problem.

The talented frontman could give them the option they need whilst Bamford is out and might even thrive playing centrally, which was considered his best position when younger.

Leeds will just hope he is fighting fit as soon as possible, to give them the added depth they need in attack.