Leeds United loanee ‘really exciting’ as he leaves manager raving after just one training session

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This week, two of Leeds United’s brightest young talents sealed loan moves away from the Championship table-toppers.

Joe Gelhardt joined Hull City until the end of the season, while teenage midfielder Charlie Crew heads south to Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster Rovers.

But while Gelhardt arrives at Hull with a point to prove – he fell out of favour at Elland Road amid ongoing debates over his most effective position – Doncaster boss Grant McCann could not be more complimentary of Crew.

Doncaster, the former Peterborough boss says, have got themselves an ‘exceptional’ talent.

Now, McCann has been an admirer of Charlie Crew ever since watching Leeds United’s 18-year-old Wales international in action against Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup 11 months ago.

Yet, the immediacy of Crew’s impact on the training pitch at the League Two outfit – and the sheer volume of his talent – has still taken McCann by surprise.

Leeds United starlet Charlie Crew makes his mark at Doncaster Rovers

“I’m really, really pleased to get him,” the 44-year-old Northern Irishman smiles. “He’s a really exciting prospect.

“In the two days we’ve seen him in training, I’ve been really impressed by him. He takes the ball, handles the ball and can play forward. He’s very calm and controlled in what he does.

“He’s the last little bit we felt we needed. I’m really pleased with the additions and now it’s about trimming the group a wee bit. Then we’re good to go.”

Cardiff-born Crew made his senior Leeds debut in November’s 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

But while Daniel Farke admits there are similarities with Archie Gray – his fellow 18-year-old now a regular in the Tottenham Hotspur XI – he was reluctant to throw Crew in at the deep end, instead preferring to let the talented ball-player hone his considerable talents away from the goldfish bowl that is Elland Road.

“Obviously Charlie Crew plays in a similar role [to Gray], perhaps a bit more offensive,” Farke said in the summer.

“Due to his age, he can’t fulfil the role Ilia [Gruev] has done. You can’t dictate the rhythm of a side wanting promotion on the back of a few first-team training sessions, but he’s a talent full of potential.

“We try to improve him. We see him as a high potential young player. There’s a long way to go, you can’t take it for granted a 17-year-old [now 18] plays day in day out like Archie. It would be unfair to put the same weight of expectations on Charlie Crew’s shoulders.”

‘Exceptional’ Crew could make League Two debut on Saturday

McCann’s glowing praise ensures Crew may find himself having to deal with exalted expectations at Doncaster, however. The promotion-chasers travel to Gillingham this weekend in what could be Crew’s debut in a Rovers shirt.

“He’s an exceptional young talent,” McCann said after that loan was agreed earlier in the week. “I actually watched Charlie last year in the FA Youth Cup when Leeds played Liverpool at Elland Road and, on that night, he stood out.

“He’s developed so much since then, making his debut for Leeds and at international level with Wales.

“We feel like we’re getting a very good player and hopefully we can help him in his development and his growth. We thank Leeds for supporting us on it.”