Paul Robinson admits Daniel Farke has "difficult" decision to make with Leeds United player | OneFootball

Paul Robinson believes the situation regarding Leeds United's Leo Hjelde is a “difficult one” for Daniel Farke ahead of the January transfer window.

Several Leeds players may be fighting to prove their worth to the German head coach his month in order to remain at Elland Road beyond January.

However, Leeds will be eyeing reinforcements in some areas, with Hjelde one player in particular who is struggling to get involved in Farke's plans. The defender can play at left-back or centre-back but, in spite of the injuries in that area, Hjelde has not been called upon.

Sam Byram, Junior Firpo, and Jamie Shackleton have all sustained problems of late, stretching Farke's pool of options very thin, and forcing Djed Spence to deputise at left-back.

The busiest aspect of Leeds’ winter transfer moves could be loan exits, with a number of players potentially set to depart Elland Road in the New Year. Some players may wish to find new pastures for regular game time, such as the Norwegian.

There is a strong chance that fringe players such as Hjelde, Darko Gyabi, and Lewis Bate will find new homes. Hjelde himself spent the second-half of last season on loan in the second-tier and developed well but is struggling to get a kick at the moment.

The ex-Rotherham United loanee is one that many thought could have been utilised more prominently but perhaps just squandered his opportunity when he was hauled off at the break in their 2-2 draw at home to Cardiff City on the opening day.

He was given a tough time, so maybe it's not too much of a coincidence that the 20-year-old hasn't played in the league since. He also appeared twice in the EFL Cup games earlier in the campaign, with Farke deploying him at left-back.

Hjelde has not been in a league matchday squad since the fifth fixture of the season, when he was an unused substitute against Sheffield Wednesday.

Paul Robinson's verdict

Former Leeds goalkeeper and academy product Paul Robinson has suggested that Hjelde's Leeds career isn't necessarily over yet, as he is young enough that Farke might see him developing still, but admits that it doesn't look promising given his lack of game time, and it perhaps indicates Farke has made up his mind.

Speaking via MOT Leeds News he said: “It’s a difficult one to say. You don’t know what the manager wants, what his plans for the future are for him.

“He’s still very young, and he might just see him as a player who’s not quite ready to play at the level he wants to yet, or whether he doesn’t want him. We don’t know, that’s down to the manager’s opinion.

“It has been a problem area. A lot of the time Pascal Struijk played there as well, and now he’s a mainstay at the centre of defence, and he’s the captain, and playing particularly well there, so that’s another option that he’s lost.

“But as far as Hjelde goes, you don’t know what the manager’s thinking. The fact that he’s not in and around the first-team would suggest that the manager doesn’t think he’s ready yet.”

Leo Hjelde's Leeds future

Given that Farke has opted for the likes of Byram, Firpo, Shackleton and Spence ahead of him - it is clearly a very tall order for him to get back in the side at left-back.

Of course, Hjelde can be utilised at centre-back, but that appears to be a more difficult area to break into. He's currently being wasted in the reserves, though.

There's clearly potential there, but he may just need regular first-team minutes elsewhere for now in order to realise it. Another loan is best for all parties whilst he struggles to break into the first-team with Leeds.