Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has revealed Joe Gelhardt played with an injury which would have sidelined most loan players. The Leeds United youngster has proven to be a big hit on Wearside despite failing to score the amount of goals the Black Cats would have hoped for following his arrival on loan from Elland Road.
Gelhardt registered three goals in 18 games for Tony Mowbray's men, but his work rate and commitment to the cause in a team lacking attacking options, has been widely praised, not least by Speakman.
It's understood Sunderland would like to have the 21-year-old back at the Stadium of Light next season, although Leeds' relegation to the Championship is likely to put an end to that hope at this stage. While the player's future is up in the air, Sunderland's admiration for Gelhardt is clear.
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"Joffy [Gelhardt] was probably a stand out in the last few weeks of the season," Speakman told the Northern Echo.
"He played with an injury. In this type of scenario, a lot of (loan) players don't play. To go through what he went through behind the scenes to get himself out on the pitch is a massive mark of respect."
"We're probably a bit disappointed for Joffy. We'd like to have seen him play in a slightly different team shape with some different personnel and maybe we'd have seen more out of him, but he was part of that flexible forward line that helped contribute goals.
"I think we were fourth top scorers in the league. We were really pleased with him both in and out of possession."
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