Carlton Palmer is urging Leeds United manager Daniel Farke to allow Joe Gelhardt to leave Elland Road in the January transfer window

First team football has been in short supply for Gelhardt this season. The 22-year-old has made just three appearances, having fallen behind Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford in the pecking order for a striking berth.

A number of Championship clubs and Scottish giants Rangers have previously been credited with an interest in Gelhardt. League One side Wrexham are also believed to be big admirers of the player.

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But ex-United midfielder Palmer has played down the prospect of the Welsh club signing Gelhardt next month. He told Football League World: “Joe Gelhardt, as he always does, is getting a lot of transfer attention. Wrexham are keen on signing him, as well as QPR and Rangers too. I think it’s going to be very difficult for Wrexham to sign him.

“I can’t imagine Joe Gelhardt leaving Leeds United and wanting to go and play in League One, although Wrexham are near the top of the league.

“Obviously Leeds won’t loan him out to anyone who is going to challenge them at the top of the Championship table, so QPR would be a good destination for him.

“I can’t see Wrexham beating the likes of QPR or Rangers to his signature. I just can’t see it. I can’t imagine him wanting to play that low down. Obviously Wrexham are looking for another promotion, and it would be very ambitious.

“Daniel Farke might also sit down with the player and try to convince him to stay until the end of the season, and that his opportunities and time will come. He’s had very limited game-time under Farke, so I think the fairest thing would be to let Gelhardt go out on loan. If he is allowed to go out, I can’t see him going to Wrexham.”