Leak departs Brewers for Salford

There is an element of what might have been about the departure of Ryan Leak to Salford City. When the Burton-born centre-half was a surprise arrival at the start of last season, it looked as if Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had stumbled across a gem.

Leak had been spotted on trial with Portstmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Brewers at St George’s Park. After starting his career with Wolves and having a spell cwith Welsh club The New Saints, he had been playing in the Spanish second division with Burgos but returned home rather than find himself stranded out there as pandemic lockdowns bit.

Still only 22, he went straight into the team. Michael Bostwick was not ready and Sam Hughes was several months away from a playing return, so Burton were short of centre-halves and the immediate impression was of an excellent instant understanding with Conor Shaughnessy in the centre of defence. They were part of a clean sheet and a win in the opening game of the season away to Shrewsbury Town.

Leak seemed to have time on the ball, his anticipation and heading was good – what was not to like? And yet as the season wore on, Leak dropped back in the pecking order. Bostwick came back into the side when he was fit. When the veteran centre-half was injured again, in the 2-1 win at home to Portsmouth in September, Leak virtually sprinted on to the pitch to replace him from the bench. He looked like a man on a mission.

Perhaps the Brewers regularly playing a back three by halfway through the season did not suit him. Fans were perplexed by his omission but it also looked like a classic case of the manager seeing something that less experienced eyes do not. And, of course, the manager sees them most days.

Leak scored his only