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Jesse Marsch confirms player status amid imminent Leeds United exit

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Joe Gelhardt is still at Thorp Arch and training for Leeds United, despite reports that he is close to completing a loan move to Wigan Athletic.

The arrival of Georginio Rutter for a club-record fee this month, coinciding with the return to fitness of Patrick Bamford, has meant that Joe Gelhardt’s immediate future is up in the air.

Game time at Elland Road is unlikely between now and the end of the season, so a loan is on the cards for him.

The Athletic relayed reports of Wigan Athletic’s interest in the 20-year-old striker, looking to strike a reunion with the player they sold to Leeds back in 2020.

They also add that Gelhardt is nearing a move to join the Latics, as they sit bottom of the Championship, in need of inspiration to retain their second-tier status.

In terms of how close the deal is, it does not seem as though there should be an announcement any minute now.

That is because Jesse Marsch has revealed that the player is still in the building at Thorp Arch and has trained today (via Phil Hay):

Happy with Gelhardt's loan?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Gelhardt needs to go out on loan, but I’d imagine that there’s no need to rush him over to Lancashire right this second, given that he’s not going to be eligible this weekend.

Next week could be the start of his tenure with the Latics, so giving him this full week to continue preparing is the best way.

Not only that, but it means that he’ll be able to get a full two weeks of training in with his new side before their next fixture after tomorrow – with Wigan’s short trip to Blackburn Rovers on the 6th their next outing.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.