New contract on the horizon for Leeds United youngster Alfie McCalmont

The 20-year-old, who made his full Whites debut last August in the Carabao Cup, is thought to be in line for a three-year deal at Elland Road, although the club are yet to confirm.

McCalmont is one of a number of youngsters who could go out on loan next season, with first team game time likely to be much harder to come by in the Premier League.

The defensive midfielder, moulded in the style of Kalvin Phillips at Thorp Arch, may join fellow Under 23s prospects like Ryan Edmondson and Robbie Gotts in returning to the Football League on loan.

Last season was a good one for McCalmont when it came to Under 23s action and international football.

He impressed for Carlos Corberan's side with his tough tackling and ball retention, while showcasing an eye for goal from long range. In September 2019 he came off the bench to represent the Northern Ireland senior side in a friendly against Luxembourg, having caught the eye of then-boss Michael O'Neill in training and in Under 21s internationals.

But involvement with Marcelo Bielsa's first team at Leeds was limited for the Thirsk-born youngster. He played 65 minutes of Carabao Cup action in games against Salford and Stoke City and was named among the substitutes on four occasions in the Championship, without playing. When Phillips picked up a knee injury at the tail end of the season, it was centre-half Pascal Struijk Bielsa turned to, in a surprise move, to fill the gap in front of the back four.

Yet the club still evidently feel McCalmont is worth investing in as a player for the future, having nurtured his talent since he joined at the age of nine and made his way through the academy.

He was part of title winning seasons for both the Under 18s and Under 23s and signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Leeds in January 2019.