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Freddie Ljungberg admits he feels sorry for Eddie Nketiah due to his lack of game time at Leeds United, as the prospect of Arsenal recalling the Bristol City target from his loan spell at Elland Road looks increasingly likely.

Nketiah is yet to start a single Championship fixture under Marcelo Bielsa and has played 276 minutes in the league after Leeds beat City to the temporary signature of the 20-year-old in August.

Despite delivering an excellent pitch in north London, Lee Johnson was beaten by the close relationship between Leeds director of football Victor Orta and former Gunners coach Unai Emery plus the allure of Marcelo Bielsa in Yorkshire.

However, with Emery leaving Arsenal earlier this month that connection is now broken and unless Nketiah, who has just returned from an abdominal injury, sees a rapid surge in minutes between now and January 1, he will be heading back to his parent club.

That opens up the potential of City making another loan approach, with CEO Mark Ashton and Johnson admitting as much over the last few weeks.

Ljungberg has taken temporary charge following Emery's dismissal and know Nketiah exceptionally well having worked as Under-23 coach across the 2018/19 season in which the striker scored 10 goals in 11 games.

"I need to be careful but I think Eddie is a great player," Ljungberg said. "If he goes on loan we want him to play football and get minutes otherwise they can maybe be here.

(Image: Getty)

"I feel a bit sorry for him because he is a great player and the future of this club. When he has had his chance he scores goals and that’s what he is about."

When asked if he's been in regular touch with Nketiah, the former Swedish international added: "Yes I’ve been calling him he texted me as well two days ago."

Admittedly, Ljungberg's position in the decision-making hierarchy at Emirates Stadium isn't on the same level as Head of Football Raul Sanllehi, Loans Manager Ben Knapper and Academy chief Per Mertesacker.

Plus, as interim head coach should a permanent manager be recruited between now and the end of the January transfer window, they are likely to have their own ideas on the 20-year-old.

Ljungberg did say in February that he believed Nketiah was ready for the Arsenal first-team but with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe ahead of him, the likelihood is that should be return in the New Year, he will be sent out on loan again.

When pressed on the possibility of him coming back, the 42-year-old said: "Like I said, I go on a game-to-game basis but you asked for my opinion and that’s my opinion."

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