Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has urged his old side to ensure Oliver Casey signs a new deal at the club and then send him out on loan next season.
Casey was handed his Championship debut in a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in December but has not played for the first-team since.
The 19-year-old's current deal at Elland Road expires at the end of the season, and the former Whites forward has urged his old club to offer Casey a new contract.
“It depends how much the club wants him. He’s a young player with a lot of potential, and when you have that at a football club, it’s important because it’s an investment for the future,” he told Football Insider.
“Look, if we’re in the Premier League, he’s not going to get a game, let’s be honest. We’re going to need more experience in those key positions. But he could go out on loan to a very good Championship club.
“That is the investment you make. You pay the money for a player in contracts to see a better player in a year’s time.
“Right now, if they really want him, they’ve got to tie him down. There is not long to go.”
Casey signed his first professional contract at the Championship side back in 2017 and has become a key member of the Leeds Academy ever since.
Before all professional football in England was brought to a standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak, Leeds sat top of the Championship table and were odds on with the bookies to secure promotion to the Premier League.
