Jack Clarke has still not made a Championship appearance for Leeds United this season.
The 18-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at the Elland Road-based side, has not even featured in a matchday squad for Marcelo Bielsa’s men never mind start a game.
Clarke was signed by Spurs for £10m in the summer from Leeds but was immediately loaned back to get some first-team action – at a level slightly below the Premier League.
The move, however, has not worked as Championship rules allow only a limited number of loan players in the matchday squad and Leeds have six players on loan of which five can be included in the matchday squad.
This leaves Spurs in a tricky situation because they can’t just allow Clarke to not feature for Leeds but bringing him back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium won’t really work either – as he would face immense competition to get a spot on the bench never mind start a game.
Tottenham have a recall option in the young winger’s contract, and I think they should activate it because it is obvious that Clarke will not get game time at Leeds this season.
Spurs would be better bringing him back to London now and playing him in their U23’s games – so that he can rebuild his confidence and get some minutes under his belt.
Then in January, they should send him back to another Championship club – where he will play first-team football and continue his development as a player.
Either way, though, Clarke needs to get out of Leeds as soon as possible.