What Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood has done better than any other Championship player this season

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Sam Greenwood will not be eligible to face parent club Leeds United for Preston North End this weekend.

Greenwood is currently in the middle of a season-long-loan from Leeds at Deepdale and will therefore be unavailable, in what is actually good news considering the form he’s been in lately.

Leeds will be looking to make it three wins in a week when they make the trip across the Pennines, having beaten both Derby County and Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

However, it is only their form on the road which has prevented Leeds from pulling away at the top of the Championship, as Tuesday’s victory over Boro made it eight home wins on the bounce.

Leeds have so far picked up just 13 points from their nine matches on the road, but hopefully they can use their upcoming visit to PNE to turn that around.

• READ MORE: Neil Redfearn tells ‘quality’ Leeds United player he ‘should be playing in the division above’

Leeds loanee Greenwood leading Championship statistic

Jermaine Beckford does not think Greenwood has a future at Leeds but he is certainly doing everything in his power to try and make Daniel Farke think otherwise.

After Jesse Marsch’s midfield experiment with him, Greenwood has been unable to really nail down a position at Leeds, or on loan at Middlesbrough last season.

However, under Paul Heckingbottom at PNE, Greenwood has moved back into a role he was so successful in during his time as an academy player at Arsenal and Leeds – striker.

Not only has Greenwood managed a return of four goals and two assists in PNE’s last 10 matches, but according to FotMob, he is also leading the way in a key statistic across the entire Championship.

Greenwood has so far created nine big chances in the league so far this season, more than anyone else.

Wilfried Gnonto is among the players just one further back on eight, alongside West Brom’s Tom Fellows, Luton Town’s Jordan Clark, and Bristol City’s Scott Twine.

• READ MORE: Neil Redfearn explains the ‘difference’ he noticed between Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph in Leeds United win

What Paul Heckingbottom has said about PNE signing Greenwood permanently

Heckingbottom was asked about the prospect of PNE signing Greenwood permanently recently, and made no secret of the fact he loves working with him.

However, the current finances involved in a potential deal means that is still a long way from getting done.

He said: “Listen, I like Sam. When you talk about options and clauses in contracts, there’s all sorts – it is not as simple as that. But, if I am just looking at Sam – a young player, the attributes he has then yeah, I like working with him and I think there is more to come.

“But, he loves football, loves training and playing. He wants to play and there is a desire there to work and improve. And, he’s also got a really good work ethic in terms of that role within a team. So yeah, we’ve been pleased with him.”