Leeds United should play me from the start, says Eddie Nketiah

England's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2021 Under-21 Qualifying Group 3 match at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes. (Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire)

Eddie Nketiah believes his hat-trick for England Under-21s on Tuesday night shows he deserves to be starting for Leeds United.

The Arsenal striker bagged a treble in the Young Lions’ 5-1 romp over Austria at Stadium MK on Tuesday to take his tally to six goals in four games for his country this season.

It is with Aidy Boothroyd’s side where he is getting most of his minutes this term as – on a season-long loan from the Gunners –he is yet to make a Championship start for Leeds.

Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring at Barnsley having come off the Leeds United bench. (Picture: PA)

He has scored two goals in seven appearances off the bench, with another two in starts in the Carabao Cup, but he can still not get a look-in in Marcelo Bielsa’s league team.

He is convinced he is worthy of a place in the starting XI and says his hat-trick for the Young Lions is a statement.

“From my point of view, I feel like I’ve done everything I can to warrant a start,” said the 20-year-old.

“All I can do is continue to apply that pressure by putting in good performances when I come with England and when I play for Leeds, working hard.

Eddie Nketiah celebrates one of his goals for England Under-21s against Austria. (Picture: PA)

“I went there to play matches and to develop so hopefully in the coming weeks I’ll get the opportunities to show why I can be in the team week in, week out.

“It’s been disappointing for me not to start in the league, I went there to play games and get games.

“I think tonight was a good statement and a good way for me to put across a performance and hopefully I’ll be starting in the next run of games.”

Having scored 10 goals in 13 games, there is no doubt Nketiah knows where the goal is, but his all-round game is still raw. And he believes he will learn more by regular action.

“I’m always learning and when I come away here or back at Leeds, it’s a new environment, I feel like I am learning a lot,” he added.