Rangers one of several eyeing Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt ahead of January

Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt has been short of game time since the Whites were relegated, and he could finally be about to leave on loan in the new year.

Daniel Farke’s attacking depth this season isn’t as fierce as it was last term, but the German still boasts one of the best setups in the division.

The side-effect that comes with such strong depth at the top of the pitch is that some players are left on the fringes and their development stagnates as a result.

Joe Gelhardt is one of those players that isn’t playing nearly as much as he’d like, left out of the squad that travelled down to Swansea City, despite seemingly recovering from minor injury trouble.

Now, the Yorkshire Evening Post have reported that his lack of opportunities alerted as many as 10 clubs and prompted them to make attempts in the summer for a transfer.

Included in that were Scottish giants Rangers, managed by Philippe Clement, as well as Championship rivals Portsmouth, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, Preston North End and two Belgian clubs.

With Gelhardt’s situation not improving since the summer window shut, these clubs have remained interested and could explore a January agreement.

Gelhardt’s omission from the squad at the weekend was a damning indictment of his standing in the pecking order.

While Farke is enthused by his attitude this season, he makes no assurances that he’s going to be brought in from the cold without injuries, as he said (via LeedsLive):

“I can’t always take four strikers with us. It’s tough for him but I have to praise his attitude and his performances in training. We need this.

“He has to make sure he prepares himself for when the chance will come. Sometimes there are chances out of injuries, illness and bookings. He has to be ready for when his chance comes and grab it when it comes.

“He’s a really top class human being and he’s a quality player. We have lots of options.”

Gelhardt must leave on loan this January, Leeds owe him that much

It’s a long time since Gelhardt was starting games or coming off the bench in the Premier League and embarrassing defenders in the process.

His development has completely stalled ever since we were relegated and the only way that is going to change is if we let him leave on loan.

There looks to be more than a few willing recipients of Gelhardt in the new year, based on the above update, and Leeds have to make the right decision.

Not only do they have to let him go on loan, but they have to find the right club where he’s going to be playing in a role that suits him.