David Prutton says it would be a kick in the teeth if Eddie Nketiah goes to Bristol City in January.
The Robins are keen to sign the Arsenal striker on loan, despite being turned down in favour of Leeds United in the summer.
Yet he has yet to start a league game for the Whites, leading to speculation that the Gunners may recall him in January in an attempt to find him more game time.
If that happens, City would no doubt be one of the front runners for his signature but, writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, former Leeds star-turned-pundit Prutton says it would be frustrating to see Nketiah succeed at another Championship club.
He said: "It will be intriguing to see what happens because, with all due respect to Leeds, he hasn’t come from Arsenal to sit on the bench and replacing his quality next month would be a difficult task.
"He gives Bamford competition for that starting spot which is vitally important. Everyone knows Patrick has a decisive role in the team and Bielsa even said that when he wasn’t scoring he was imperative to how they play.
"But the more competition for places the better, and you just never know what might happen if he were to leave with injuries or suspensions.
"Bristol City were obviously very interested in the summer and will no doubt be keeping an eye on the situation. It would be a massive kick in the teeth if he were to go out on loan to a Championship rival and start scoring because you’d be left thinking ‘what if?’
"Bamford made the point of needing him for the rest of the season and it is credit to Nketiah that he has almost voiced his frustration in a very eloquent way when he’s been asked.
"Eddie is a young player who wants to play but for him to be that type of character who is still part of the squad and group ethos is testament to the way he has approached being a Leeds United player."
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