Leeds United sensation Wilfried Gnonto could thrive in a new role as a striker, according to Lee Bowyer.

The Lowdown: Gnonto at Leeds

The Whites made one of the bargain signings of the summer window on deadline day in September as they confirmed the £3.8m signing of Italian teenager Gnonto.

Gnonto has exploded into form since the World Cup break with him bagging all Premier League.

He’s been deployed in numerous roles by Jesse Marsch but has found home playing off the left-hand side with the majority of his appearances seeing him able to cut inside to deliver the most damage.

The Latest: Bowyer’s belief

Speaking on talkSPORT following Leeds’ draw at Old Trafford, former Whites midfielder Bowyer suggested that he could thrive playing as the number nine with managerless Leeds struggling for a reliable number nine heading forward, saying:

“He seems to be the main player at the moment for them and the biggest threat and that’s coming from a winger, so maybe try him through the middle and give him a go there, because if he’s doing that to full-backs, what could he do then to a centre half?”

The Verdict: Problem position?

It may well become an option to Leeds soon with top-scorer Rodrigo out for two months through injury, Patrick Bamford finding the net just once in the top-flight all season and new signing Georginio Rutter yet to settle at Elland Road.

Gnonto is currently fourth at the club, behind the two aforementioned strikers and Brenden Aaronson for shots per game (via WhoScored) with 1.3, showing he’s got the eye for goal to perhaps carry out the role.

A decision to move Gnonto centrally could see Crysencio Summerville brought back into the starting XI, with the Dutchman Leeds’ joint second-highest goalscorer all season with Gnonto.

But after Luis Sinisterra was forced off at Old Trafford through injury, there might not be enough options to implement a change of role for the Italian just yet.