“He’s going to be a good player for us!” Joe Leesley extends Boston United loan stay

Craig Elliott expects Joe Leesley to go from strength to strength after the player extended his Boston United loan deal.

The winger will remain with the Pilgrims until the end of the season, it has been confirmed.

A run of four straight starts in the side has seen the 2017-18 National League North player of the year score four times for United.

"Everything's agreed. He was wanting to extend it and I think, you can see by his performances, he's going to be a good player for us," said Elliott, who believes that regular match action will bring out the best in Leesley.

"I think he's the same as a lot of players. Given a run of games you'll see what qualities they do have.

"Players are only normal and training's not enough sometimes. I think you can see now he's had a few 90 minutes that he's got that sharpness back and his qualities are starting to shine through."

Leesley, 26, linked up with the Pilgrims from League Two Harrogate Town in November.

To date he has made nine appearances for Elliott's side.

His first appearance for the club, away at Darlington, was abandoned in the 87th minute, before the club embarked on a two-week self isolation period.

When action resumed, Leesley appeared in the next five matches, albeit off the bench on four of those occasions.

But after being given a start in the FA Trophy at Evesham United, in which he scored direct from a corner, he has been an impressive regular in the Pilgrims line-up.

That Trophy victory at Evesham saw Leesley feature at left back - where he played during loan spells at Stevenage Borough and Stockport County last season.

His ability and willingness to drop back has also impressed Elliott, who also needs cover for Scott Duxbury in that position following Josh Askew's departure to Chester.

"He covers that left side lovely for you and he's more than capable of playing left back," Elliott added.

"We've got a lovely balance down that left hand side and good options and experience."

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