Leeds see 'big future' for 20-year-old academy talent at Elland Road

Leeds youngster Charlie Cresswell has a “big future” at the club, according to Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton.

The 20-year-old is spending the season on loan at old rivals Millwall, but Thornton reckons he’s still highly rated back at his parent club.

Cresswell got a taste of senior football last season, making his Premier League debut as part of six outings.

Regardless, the England Under-21 star spent the majority of the campaign on the bench, which meant he was forced to drop down to the Under-23s to play regularly.

As a result, despite not signing any centre backs in the summer, Leeds made the decision to send Cresswell out on loan to improve his chances of playing consistently.

That decision already looks to have paid off with Cresswell turning out nine times for the Lions having established himself as a regular in Gary Rowett’s side.

But with the 6 ft 2 defender only on loan at The Den, Thornton still sees a bright future back at his boyhood club.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s obviously gone to Millwall with Jamie Shackleton, but his situation is slightly different to Shackles.

“They see a big future for him at Elland Road, I expect him to go there, gain that experience and go back to Leeds.

“He was in and around the first team as a young player, but that position you’ve got to really trust your centre backs, because a mistake can lead to a goal, although he did do well in the games he played.”

Cresswell announced himself to the Millwall fans in the perfect way on the opening day of the season back in July.

Coming up against Stoke, the impressive youngster, who’s better known for his ability to keep the ball out of the net, scored both goals in a 2-0 win.

He would start the first four games before dropping out of the