"He's back at Thorp Arch...": Beren Cross drops Leeds claim that'll excite supporters - opinion

Leeds United starlet Ian Poveda is currently back at Thorp Arch as he continues his comeback from injury.

During a Q&A for Leeds Live, Beren Cross revealed: “He’s back at Thorp Arch at the moment going through his rehab programme because it’s more convenient with where he lives rather than traipsing over to Blackburn every other day. He seems to be making good progress based on his Instagram profile. The expectation this season, if he gets back in time, would be for him to play for Blackburn again.

“When he was first sent out on loan the noises we heard suggested this was very temporary and there was a long-term home for Poveda at Leeds. Much depends on how his pre-season goes under Marsch, you would think. As we know, wingers are not readily used by the American in his system.”

While Poveda’s loan spell at Championship side Blackburn came to a shuddering halt back in November following injury, there’s no questioning that he has the kind of exciting talent and ability that could thrive under Marsch.

In fact, after seeing what Poveda produced after coming on as a substitute for Helder Costa against Liverpool last season, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan made it clear that the young winger was a refreshing change to the Portuguese man.

He told Football Insider: “There is something there that is not right because Poveda came on and did more in that short time than Costa did in the 60 minutes he was on the field.

“He is fourth in the pecking order in terms of wingers for me. Poveda has to come before him now. He is direct, exciting and wants to take people on. He wants to do his job as a winger and Costa does not. He plays it safe and he’s negative. At least Poveda runs at people. He is positive and that is what a winger