It seems Joe Gelhardt is edging closer to the Leeds United exit door. As revealed by our sister title Hull Live, the forward is wanted by Championship strugglers Hull City.

The Tigers, who dented the Whites' title aspirations by coming-from-behind to draw 3-3 with Daniel Farke's side at the MKM Stadium last time out, are in talks to sign Gelhardt on loan for the rest of the season. They are the frontrunners to sign the 22-year-old ahead of a host of other clubs both in England and Scotland. Hull Live suggest Gelhardt is keen on a move to East Yorkshire in his quest for regular first team football.

A decision on Gelhardt's future is expected to be made ahead of United's FA Cup third round tie at home to Harrogate Town this weekend. The Whites are set to sanction Gelhardt's exit as soon as they have establishing the full situation surrounding the hamstring injury picked up by Patrick Bamford last week.

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The 22-year-old, an unused substitute against City, has been limited to just nine minutes of Championship football this term. He has slipped down in the pecking order behind Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Bamford in the battle for a striking berth. Their plethora of options out wide has also impacted on Gelhardt's game time.

Farke addressed Gelhardt's lack of first team involvement before their home win over Luton Town back in November. He said: “I can’t always take four strikers with us. It’s tough for him but I have to praise his attitude and his performances in training. We need this. He has to make sure he prepares himself for when the chance will come.

“His time will come, he has to prepare himself. I can’t complain about it. He is a top class human being and teammate. We just have lots of options, this is professional football.”