After suffering deadline heartbreaks in their efforts to sign Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng, Leeds arranged a last-minute deal to snare Gnonto away from FC Zurich in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

 

The 18-year-old, who is already an Italy international, has been training with the first-team squad over the last few weeks, but Marsch previously said that it could be a while before he makes his debut for Leeds.

 

 

But the Leeds boss conceded that he has been left surprised with what he has seen of Gnonto in training and he has been fantastic behind the scenes.

 

The American revealed that the young forward will be part of the squad against Aston Villa on Sunday and indicated that he could make his debut for Leeds sooner than anyone expected.

 

 

Marsch said in a press conference: “He’s pleasantly surprised all of us.

 

“On the pitch and in training, he’s been fantastic.

 

“He’ll be in the squad this weekend and we think he can play a big role for us now.

 

 

“You could say I could revise my [original] statement.”

 

It remains to be seen whether Gnonto manages to get on the pitch at any point against Aston Villa at Elland Road this weekend.