Tonight sees Leeds United’s young Whites dip their toes into the waters into the EFL Trophy with a trip to the Wham Stadium where they hope to wake Accrington Stanley up before they go-go back to West Yorkshire.
The chance to enter an Under-21 side came about with the club’s promotion Category 1 academy status and an invitation for the Whites to field their Under-23 in a competition that will see them take on some strong, first-team outfits. Stanley are the first of those in what is a first competitive game for any form of a Leeds United side.
📋 Mark Jackson names his U21s side for tonight's EFL Trophy clash with Accrington Stanley
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 8, 2020
Key Players
Accrington Stanley:
Stephen Sama – a free transfer from Dutch side Heracles, Sama was once on the book s at Liverpool but struggled to make a breakthrough at Anfield. A solid defender, one who should do well in League One.
Tariq Uwakwe – on loan from Chelsea and highly thought-of at Stamford Bridge. He’s featured 85 times for the Blues, scoring 15 goals and adding 10 assists. He’s one to keep an eye on and definitely one for the young Whites to watch tonight.
🚌 Our U21s arrive at the Wham Stadium pic.twitter.com/TBv7TizZiB
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 8, 2020
Leeds United Under-21s
Forget the Under-21s, this is a young, young Leeds United side captained by 16-year-old Charlie Allen and with squad numbers largely in the 60s and 70s. It’s going to be a tough game for the youngsters, but bound by the regulations, Mark Jackson has plumped for a young side that he’s got knowledge of from the Under-21’s side. A number of the players such as goalkeeper Cooper Skerry, Owen Bray and Josh Galloway featured in United’s run in the FA Youth Cup that was ended by Manchester United’s youngsters.
