Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has insisted Ian Poveda will be part of Jesse Marsch's first team plans next season.
The 22-year-old forward had been out on loan with EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers this since but has been back at Thorp Arch since November after sustaining an ankle injury.
With Rovers bidding to return to the Premier League this season however, Whelan has praised the former Manchester City, believing in the quality he has shown thus far.
“He won’t be going on holiday for too long, that’s for sure,” he told Football Insider most recently.
“He’ll be pushing and continuing that rehabilitation even if he does go back to Blackburn – because he’ll be pushing for places in the Leeds side next season. This is a really important time for him to get back to maximum strength.
"The new manager has come in, and that will provide him with a clean slate to play off. I’m sure Jesse Marsch will be excited to see him in action, but he needs to see him fully fit.
“We know he’s got the ability, the pace. Maybe this strength and conditioning time he has had will give him the extra physical nature he needs.
“If he can come back strong, fit, and healthy, I think we’ve got a really good player on our hands.”
Poveda joined the club from the Cityzens back in 2020 but had since failed to nail down a solid place in Marcelo Bielsa's plans.
With Marsch now at the helm, the opportunity may now be there for the youngster to begin to show his potential to those on-lookers at Elland Road next season.
