Coach Corberan can see a player in Leeds United striker Grot

Leeds United coach Carlos Corberan backed Jay-Roy Grot to come good in time after the striker claimed his first goal for the club in Monday night's development-squad win over Huddersfield Town, writes PHIL HAY.
Jay-Roy GrotJay-Roy Grot
Jay-Roy Grot

Grot dropped into the Under-23s for the first time this season after coming in for criticism during a string of senior appearances before Christmas and he made his mark by scoring and earning a second-half penalty in a 1-0 win.

The Holland Under-20 international was signed as a long-term prospect from NEC Nijmegen in August, costing an up-front fee of £750,000, but he became a target for the Elland Road crowd having failed to impress in a number of outings as a substitute under head coach Thomas Christiansen.

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Grot was jeered after coming off the bench towards a 1-0 win over Norwich City on December 13 and Christiansen has not used him in a Championship game since.

Leeds United Under-23s coach Carlos Corberan.Leeds United Under-23s coach Carlos Corberan.
Leeds United Under-23s coach Carlos Corberan.

The 19-year-old is unlikely to feature heavily in the second half of the term but his chances of heading out on loan this month were hindered by the fact that he has already played for two different clubs this season, the maximum allowed under FIFA rules.

Christiansen opted to give him a run-out with the Under-23s while United’s senior squad were beginning a five-day training camp in Spain. Corberan, Leeds’ Spanish development-squad boss, spoke highly of Grot’s attitude said the striker would draw confidence from the victory against Huddersfield.

“He’s a very interesting player, a young player,” Corberan told LUTV. “It’s good for him to have some experience with us. We’re happy because it’s good for his confidence and he needed the support of everyone. He deserves to play and he has good skills.

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“He came with us for the last two days and he showed that he’s ready to learn. He wants to show at Leeds United that he’s a Leeds United player and he’s a very ambitious guy.

Leeds United Under-23s coach Carlos Corberan.Leeds United Under-23s coach Carlos Corberan.
Leeds United Under-23s coach Carlos Corberan.

“He’s a good player and a good finisher. He received the penalty, he scored one goal and that’s very positive for him because with his attitude I 100 per cent think he’s going to have good success at Leeds United.”

Grot signed a four-year deal at Elland Road after moving from NEC and has been capped at various youth levels by Holland.

Former Leeds winger Aaron Lennon has moved from Everton to Burnley for an undisclosed fee.