With Sam Allardyce in desperate need of a win on the final day of the Premier League season to stand any chance of pulling off a massive escape from relegation, the Whites boss could really use all the firepower he can get his hands on.
That has led some Leeds United fans to wonder whether they might be able to bring Joe Gelhardt back into the fold now he is no longer needed for action in his loan spell at Championship Sunderland.
The short answer is no, Gelhardt is not able to return to action for Leeds despite Sunderland’s season already being over following their play-off semi-final defeat to Luton Town (who will now face Coventry City in the final), and nor are any of the other loanees who have been out elsewhere.
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With a few limited exceptions like emergency goalkeeper and work experience loans (for younger academy scholars going out to non-league), a player’s registration can only change from one club to another when a transfer window is open – including starting and ending loans. Gelhardt can therefore not be re-registered with the Leeds squad until next month.
The forward established himself as a key player at the Stadium of Light as he helped Tony Mowbray’s side push into the play-ofs with an excellent run of late-season form. Gelhardt claimed three goals and assists apiece in 20 appearances up front for Sunderland, with his role being as much about facilitating fellow attackers Alex Pritchard, Amad Diallo and Jack Clarke as it was about getting on the scoresheet himself.
Leeds need to overcome both Leicester City’s goal difference advantage and Everton’s two-point advantage (plus goal difference) on Sunday afternoon to stay up. Allardyce’s side will host Tottenham Hotspur, while Everton are at home to Bournemouth and Leicester welcome West Ham United.
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