Phil Hay says he can envisage £4m Leeds man ‘looking elsewhere’ after development this week

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Phil Hay has told The Square Ball podcast that he can see Charlie Cresswell requesting to leave Leeds United if he continues to remain down the pecking order – after being left out of the squad against Hull.

Cresswell, 21, returned to Leeds in the summer after an excellent loan at Millwall and being a part of the England U21 side that won the European Championships. But he’s struggled to make his mark at Leeds.

Just one Championship start in seven games, Cresswell has been forced to watch from the bench. He has started both games in the Carabao Cup – which saw Leeds lose to Salford after a penalty shootout.

It comes after Cresswell had signed a new deal at Leeds, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal with his boyhood club. But on Wednesday night, he was left out of the squad that drew 0-0 away at Hull.

Back in January, The Sun said Middlesbrough were eyeing a £4m move – and Hay says interest in the defender remains. He says that if he continues to struggle for game time, he may look to leave Leeds.

“It was notable that Cresswell was out of the squad. There has been a lot of interest in him. If he’s not knocking on the door or in the squad, then you can’t help feeling that he will start looking elsewhere.

“I don’t know how many games you imagine him playing, but with Rodon, Struijk and Cooper – despite everything, he is an England U21, he just seems to be down the pecking order which is not ideal for him.”

Phil Hay can see Charlie Cresswell requesting to leave Leeds

It is harsh on Cresswell. He has hardly done anything wrong – going out on loan, really impressing. But Leeds have decided to bring in Joe Rodon on loan from Tottenham – something the club really had to.

Rodon has been superb. Liam Cooper is back from injury and Pascal Struijk has started the season in solid form. Cresswell could get a chance against Watford on Saturday if Cooper is not ready for 90.

But, you would imagine Cooper comes in alongside Struijk on Saturday – and Cresswell returns to the bench. There could be a reason for Cresswell’s omission – something that could be discussed today.