Ex-Leeds United great commends Caleb Ekuban, but demands for goals

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has heaped praises on Caleb Ekuban, but insists the club needs a ruthless striker to achieve their target. 

The Lily Whites had Chris Wood up top last term and the New Zealand international bagged an astonishing 30 goals, earning a big money move to the Premier League with Burnley in the process.

Thomas Christainsen's side used the money accrued from Wood's sale to purchase Ghanaian striker Caleb Ekuban and also brought in Pierre-Michel Lasogga on loan from Hamburg, but the German has not been able to replicate Wood's feats.

In Lasogga's absence through injury, fellow summer signing Ekuban has been given his chances and he started up front in Friday night's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Whelan was pleased to see Ekuban again giving his all for the shirt and says he does put a shift in when selected.

But the former White would still like to see Leeds snap up a regular goalscorer, as he believes the side are missing a lethal man up front.

"He puts in a shift. He makes good runs. He's a strong lad and he can hold the ball up", Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds.

"He works tirelessly for the team across the line and tracking back as well.

"But I think we miss that out and out goalscorer who isn't just going to lead the line and do that hard work with diagonal runs and running channels, but is also going to get the goals as well.

"That is where we are lacking", he added.

Leeds have scored 30 goals in their 20 Championship matches so far, ten fewer than league leaders Wolves.

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