Leeds United’s battle against relegation continues this weekend with Newcastle United set to visit Elland Road – but a quartet of the club’s loanees will be facing a different kind of pressure as they aim to help their sides reach play-off finals.
The Whites are represented at two Championship clubs and two League Two clubs who have qualified for the post-season promotion knockouts, with the semi-finals getting under way this weekend before Wembley beckons at the end of the month.
Here are the four Leeds players who will be hoping to end the season on a high, and the challenge facing each of them as they aim for glory.
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Cody Drameh (Luton Town) – An instant hit with Luton fans, the 21-year-old has been the Hatters’ starting right wing-back since moving on loan in January with his excellent performances prompting rumours that Burnley may be interested in making a summer move.
Luton secured their play-off place good and early this season and will be hoping to reach Wembley this season having lost to Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals last year. A meeting with sixth-placed Sunderland awaits them in the semis this time around.
Joe Gelhardt (Sunderland) – Newly-promoted from League One, Sunderland enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run to end the season and sneak into the final Championship play-off place on goal difference on the final day.
Striker Gelhardt has featured prominently for Tony Mowbray’s side as they hit that good form to earn a fourth play-off campaign in five years across two divisions, claiming three goals and assists apiece and offering a clear focal point around which the side’s talented wingers and attacking midfielders can play. With Luton and Sunderland facing each other, Leeds will be represented in the final either way; the winner will meet either Middlesbrough or Coventry City at Wembley.
Alfie McCalmont (Carlisle United) – Another January loan departure from Elland Road, midfielder McCalmont has been in and out of the Carlisle side that finished fourth in League Two.
The Cumbrians have lost just one of the 11 games McCalmont has started for them, and the 23-year-old will be hoping to play a part against Bradford City in the semi-finals.
Jack Jenkins (Salford City) – On the other side of the League Two play-offs are Salford City, who will contest something of a local derby against Stockport County for the right to face Carlisle or Bradford in the final.
21-year-old Jenkins had to content himself with a place on the Salford bench early in the season and made just four league appearances, the last of which came in early December. The midfielder had surgery to treat an injury in February and has been back on the Salford bench a handful of times since then, but it would be a surprise to see him have much involvement in the play-offs.
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