Inclusion, an arm around the shoulder, public post-match huddles, a leadership council and extra days off here and there have all formed a part of Jesse Marsch’s approach to the Leeds United job. The head coach has tried to lift the pressure that was on shoulders around the club and foster a feeling of togetherness throughout Thorp Arch.
That open approach to all corners of his squad has extended to those who are even technically on the books at other clubs too. Ian Poveda was not perhaps a face we expected to see out on the training pitches with the rest of the first-team squad.
The 22-year-old is contracted to Leeds until 2024 and expected to compete with the rest of the squad for a place in the summer, but he’s still technically on loan with Blackburn Rovers. The winger broke his ankle in November while playing for them, but the loan arrangement was not cut short and Tony Mowbray said the Ewood Park outfit has continued to pay their share of Poveda’s salary throughout.
