Stuart Dallas tipping Leeds United youngster to make 'massive difference' if he stays fit

ABILITY - Tyler Roberts has started to show his quality in a Leeds United shirt and has been tipped to be a significant player in the run-in by team-mate Stuart Dallas.

When Roberts finished the full 96 minutes at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday it was the first time he had played from the first whistle to the last for Leeds since early November 2019.

His season and his entire Whites career to date has been interrupted by injuries, both serious and minor, denying him a run of games in which he can impress and build momentum.

But the two-goal performance at Hull City just before football was suspended and his displays at Thorp Arch since Leeds returned to training have given Dallas reason to believe in the 21-year-old's importance in Marcelo Bielsa's squad.

He deputised for Leeds magic man Pablo Hernandez on Sunday but can also provide competition for Patrick Bamford in the lone striker role, which will be crucial with Jean-Kevin Augustin still not fit enough to be considered for selection by Bielsa.

The Argentine revealed today that Roberts had come through the game in Wales unscathed, which will be a relief to all concerned at Elland Road.

"Tyler has had a very difficult time with injuries and he's been frustrated a lot because of the injuries," said Dallas.

"There's no doubting that lad's ability, he could turn you in a phonebox. I don't know if that's a saying from back home or whatever, but he could. He's really, really good.

"He's sharp, come back in good condition. It's important that we keep him fit, he's somebody who could make a massive difference to us."

Roberts has already won several caps for Wales and, like Northern Ireland's Dallas, was looking forward to the European Championships this summer, before the tournament was postponed to next year due to the pandemic.

The glimpses of ability the attacker has shown since his move to Leeds from West Brom and what Dallas sees every day at Thorp Arch are enough for him to tip his junior team-mate for big things.

"He could have an unbelievable career if he stays injury free," Dallas told the YEP.

"I think he's starting to show it now in a Leeds shirt, before we went into lockdown and again on Sunday I thought he was really sharp and had an impact as well."