Striker Wilks nets on return to Leeds United - but Whites slip to defeat

Mallik Wilks scored on his return to Leeds United's Under-23 line-up but could not prevent the club suffering a 2-1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra.
Mallik WilkesMallik Wilkes
Mallik Wilkes

Wilks is back in United’s development squad after completing a half-season loan at Accrington Stanley and he maintained his goalscoring form with a sharp second-half strike at Crewe’s training ground yesterday.

The 19-year-old made a positive impression during his spell at Accrington, scoring five times and making 24 appearances, but he rejoined Leeds earlier this month. The club are yet to indicate if the forward will take up another loan this month but he is understood to have attracted fresh interest from the lower leagues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wilks has been knocking on the first-team door at Elland Road for the past 18 months and made his senior debut in an FA Cup defeat to Sutton United last season.

Mallik WilksMallik Wilks
Mallik Wilks

Carlos Corberan’s line-up against Crewe also included Tyler Denton after the left-back cut short a year-long loan with Port Vale to move back to Yorkshire for family reasons.

Forward Oliver Sarkic - signed by Leeds on a permanent deal from Benfica last week - figured in Corberan’s side and 17-year-old striker Jack Clarke started up front.

Leeds, who were looking for a third straight win, fought back from Lewis Reilly’s early goal to level through Wilks on 74 minutes but Reilly inflicted a 2-1 defeat with a free-kick seven minutes from the end.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, young Leeds centre-back Liam Kitching is set to join Harrogate Town on a month’s loan.

Mallik WilksMallik Wilks
Mallik Wilks

The 18-year-old, who made a first appearance in United’s senior squad for their recent FA Cup defeat at Newport County, could make his Harrogate debut in Saturday’s top-of-the-table Conference North clash with Salford City.