Lee Sharpe makes prediction about Harry Gray's Leeds United future after joining Sheffield Wednesday

Former Leeds United winger Lee Sharpe is backing Sheffield Wednesday loanee Harry Gray to eventually force his way into the first team at Elland Road.

Gray, who will turn 18 next month, joined the Owls on a season-long loan in July, providing him with the opportunity to gain regular first-team football. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Rotherham United, scoring three goals in 20 appearances.

The teenager, who comes from a family steeped in Leeds history, made a bright start to his Owls career, starting each of their first four matches in the league and cup this season before being forced off with a head injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round of the Carabao Cup last month.

Concussion protocol has forced Gray to miss each of the last three matches, but he is expected to be available again for Saturday’s clash with Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough.

The 17-year-old offered flashes of both quality and versatility during his first four outings for the Owls, playing both out wide and through the middle. He is one of six loanees currently on Wednesday’s books, meaning manager Henrik Pedersen must decide who will miss out on a place in the matchday squad, with only five loan players permitted to be included.

Whether Gray makes the cut this weekend or not, former Leeds ace Sharpe believes the attacker will benefit from his time at Hillsborough, backing him to return to Elland Road as a better player.

“I would guess so, yeah, [with], the quality of him,” Sharpe told The Yorkshire Post. “I think it's important that young lads go out on loan, especially from Premier League clubs.

“I think sometimes it can be a bit of a baptism of fire trying to get them into the Premier League and up to the pace of thought as much as the pace of play. You know, there's so many top, top players that have been out on loan before they actually cracked the Premier League.

“I think it's going to do him a world of good down at Sheffield Wednesday and I think he'll come back a better player and I don't doubt that once he comes back to Leeds, then he'll start edging his way into the first team.”