Leeds United: Teen stopper Peacock-Farrell ready to make step up to the first team

Head coach Steve Evans is set to leave most of his first-team players out of this afternoon’s match at Elland Road having fielded a strong side in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

Lee Erwin, Kalvin Phillips and Lewie Coyle all completed 90 minutes at Selhurst Park and Peacock-Farrell was also used in the first of two Under-21 games staged in the space of 72 hours.

United’s development squad will host Birmingham City in a 1pm kick-off today and goalkeeper Peacock-Farrell is set to be given another start after a string of appearances on the bench for the first team.

Peacock-Farrell, 19, was drafted into the senior squad in November after Leeds lost Ross Turnbull to a broken ankle and saw USA Under-23 international Charlie Horton terminate his contract and return to America for family reasons.

Evans has relied on Peacock-Farrell as understudy to Marco Silvestri throughout the second half of the term and confirmed three weeks ago that he would give the teenager a full debut once Leeds were safe from relegation.

Despite a 4-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town on Saturday, Leeds are 10 points above the bottom three with nine games remaining.

Evans said: “It’s something we’ve been planning and when we’re safe (from relegation), Bailey will get his chance to play.

“He’s young and the circumstances have to be right but I want people to see how good a goalkeeper we’ve got there.

“Even though Ross has been injured, Bailey’s deserved to be on the bench.

“He’s good enough. It’s never been a last resort for us. If it was, then we’d have signed some cover.”

Tickets for today’s game at Elland Road are priced £3 for adults and £1 for juniors.