Leeds United have the option to recall centre-back Charlie Cresswell from Millwall in January.
That’s according to journalist Tim Thornton, who was speaking to Give Me Sport.
Cresswell is currently out on loan for the first time in his career after coming through Leeds’ academy.
There’s an expectation at Elland Road that Cresswell could be the future of their centre-back position.
He’s currently playing plenty of football at Millwall, although he was dropped by manager Gary Rowett last week.
The England under-21 international failed to get back into Rowett’s thinking at the weekend, and wasn’t in the matchday squad against Middlesbrough.
“He’s another one that, because of the formation change, I had to make a decision on which two centre-halves I chose.” Rowett said.
“One was my captain and one was my vice-captain, it’s very, very difficult.”
Thornton now reports that Leeds have the option to recall Cresswell in January.
If he continues to be left out of the side at The Den, then Jesse Marsch might consider recalling Cresswell.
Although he’s unlikely to get into Leeds’ first-team if he did return, it would allow Marsch to send him elsewhere to play more minutes.
Leeds can recall Cresswell in January
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Thornton said: “I think there’s a recall option, potentially in January.
“But I would expect him to stay at Millwall all season and then come back next season and try to force his way into the first team.”
Cresswell couldn’t have asked for a better start to his Millwall career.
The 20-year-old scored a brace and kept a clean sheet on his debut against Stoke City in front of the Millwall faithful.
However, Millwall picked up a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough at the weekend without Cresswell in the squad.
If Rowett finds a defensive solution that works without Cresswell, his opportunities in London could be diminished.
Cresswell has been linked with a permanent move to Norwich City, and Rowett isn’t surprised given his quality.
“It’s not a surprise, he’s been really, really good,” Rowett said.
“For a first loan, to come into a difficult division when we’ve probably not been at our best in that period, he’s done really, really well.”
Marsch will be watching Cresswell’s game time closely in the lead-up to January.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Leeds recall Cresswell if he falls further down the pecking order.