Leeds teenage sensation tipped to play starring role when Premier League returns

Rene Maric insists Leeds will be ready for Manchester City when the Premier League resumes - and reckons 19-year-old sensation Willy Gnonto could play a starring role.

Jesse Marsch's men, who beat a David Silva-inspired Real Sociedad 2-1 on Friday, face champions City on December 28 in their first post-World Cup outing. The Whites host Monaco in their final mid-season friendly on Wednesday before Pep Guardiola's boys head to Elland Road seven days later.

Assistant Whites boss Maric said: "Preparations are going well, but we're only halfway there. There are things that we need to improve on against Monaco on Wednesday and for sure there will be things from the Monaco game that we have to iron out for Man City.

"You focus on different aspects in different phases of any 'pre-season' but I think we're on good path."

Rookie Italy striker Gnonto, a summer signing from FC Zurich, helped Leeds to victories over Liverpool and Bournemouth before the World Cup. The teenager caught the eye again in the win over Sociedad, playing a key role in Rodrigo's second-half winner.

Maric added: "Willy's personality is joyful - he's very intelligent and speaks four languages to a very high level.

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"He's very humble and a really nice guy but still very ambitious and has the confidence to try things. That mixture of characteristics is making it very easy for us to work with him.

"It's very nice to have such a great human being in your squad and I think that's one of the factors that will make him a very good player in the future."

Leeds will check on the fitness of Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Junior Firpo ahead of the City clash - where former favourite Kalvin Phillips could make his first return to Elland Road.