Leeds United Loan Round-Up: Week 20

Three of Leeds United’s loaned-out players are scheduled to return to Elland Road in just a few weeks. Notably, this includes outside backs Liam Kitching and Lewie Coyle, who could be used as depth pieces for a Leeds squad that is decimated by injuries. Mallik Wilks will also return; the 19-year old has scored 7 goals in all competitions this year. It should be interesting to see who of these three stays with the club, and who is loaned back out.

Jay-Roy Grot - FW, VVV-Venlo

Grot struggled in VVV’s matchup on Thursday against Feyenoord, completing just 60% of his passes and being dispossessed 4 times. Venlo lost that one 4-1, then went on to tie Groningen 0-0 just three days later. The 20-year-old started at left wing in that one, and turned in one of his worst performances to date, managing to complete a truly awful 48% of his passes. His passing has emerged as a serious cause for concern in recent weeks.

Mallik Wilks - FW, Doncaster Rovers

Mallik Wilks had his best game of the year and helped his side to a 4-0 domination of Bristol. The loanee scored his two goals in just 59 minutes, before he was subbed off in with less than six minutes to play.

His first goal was an odd header that he managed to get off when a rebound came off the crossbar. He headed it straight into the ground, and it bounced perfectly into the net. His second came from a counter attack after a Bristol corner kick. He managed to speed by the defenders and easily beat Bristol’s keeper Jack Bonham to complete the brace.

Also, an early happy birthday to Mallik, who will turn 20 on the 15th, the same day that Doncaster takes on Scunthorpe.

Paudie O’Connor - CB, Blackpool FC

O’Connor came on in the 59th minute as a defensive sub to help Blackpool see out their 2-1 victory over Charlton. It was just his 6th league appearance of the season.

Laurens de Bock - LB, K.V. Oostende

De Bock was an unused substitute in Oostende’s 1-0 win against Lokeren.

Lewie Coyle - RB, Fleetwood Town

Coyle did not play and appears to be dealing with a rib injury. His loan spell is up on the first day of 2019, so it should be interesting to see if the injury-ridden Leeds bring him back in the fold.

Tyler Denton, LB, Peterborough United

Denton did not make the squad this week.

Liam Kitching - LB, Harrogate Town AFC

Kitching went the full 90 minutes and helped Harrogate to a 4-1 win. The Yorkshire club is still in third and appears to be a serious challenger for promotion to the EFL next season.

Vurnon Anita - CM, Willem II

Willem got clapped this weekend 5-1 by Heerenveen, and Vurnon Anita once again did relatively little beyond taking care of his passes. Hopefully when he leaves Leeds he can find a landing spot somewhere in the Netherlands.

Hadi Sacko - RM, UD Las Palmas

Sacko did not make Las Palmas’ squad once again.

Alex Machuca - FW, Burgos CAM

Machuca came on in the 75th minute in Burgos’ 1-0 loss.

Adrián Balboa - FW, Terrassa FC

Balboa actually earned another start this week, but the youngster came off after just 59 minutes.

Oriol Rey - CM, UB Conquense

Rey played the full match for Conquesne.

Oliver Šarkić - FW, Barakaldo CF

Šarkić remained on the bench in Barakaldo’s 1-0 win.

Yosuke Ideguchi - CM, Greuther Fürth

Ideguchi is out for the year with a partially torn PCL.

Eunan O’Kane - CM, Luton Town

O’Kane is also out for the year with a broken leg.