Leeds United manager Steve Evans has plead with winger Sam Byram to sign a new deal after inspiring the club to a 3-2 win at Wolves on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and has reportedly been reluctant to sign a new deal at Elland Road.
Byram was recalled to the starting XI having only played 24 minutes of football since the start of November and capped his return with a match winning performance.
The versatile right-sided wideman scored twice and was named the WhoScored man of the match as Leeds moved to within two points of the top half of the table and Evans is hopeful he will now commit his future to the club, despite having interest from Premier League clubs.
“He has to sign a contract,” the Leeds manager is quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “We can’t just sit there and say the player controls the football club. We love the kid to bits and I have said before that if he comes home with my daughter I will be quite proud.”
“He is such a nice kid that you want him to do well but we want him to commit his future. As a manager you have to be true to yourself and my eyes were telling me to pick him.
“I want Sam to be at Leeds United more than anything. That is an issue for the boardroom and I am glad he has got a couple of goals tonight.”
Only three Leeds players have won more aerial duels per game in the Championship than Byram (2), furthering his statistically calculated strength of 'aerial duels'.
For more stats on Sam Byram, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
