Leeds United head coach Neil Redfearn has confirmed that there is still a role to play for Leeds United’s £1 million midfielder Luke Murphy, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Murphy featured yesterday in Leeds’s clash against Sunderland, the first appearance that he has made for the Whites since his sending off against Bradford City in the League Cup.

That game was during the reign of Dave Hockaday, showing the length of time that Murphy has been out of action – Leeds have had another head coach in the intervening period, in the form of Darko Milanic, who only lasted six games in charge.

It has been a serious fall for Murphy’s reputation, with the former Crewe player having played a significant amount of football last season under Brian McDermott, following his £1 million move to Elland Road.

However, Redfearn believes there is still an opportunity for him to make an impact.

When asked about whether Murphy had a future at Leeds, Redfearn said: “I don’t see why not.

“If you play well, you get in. That’s got to be the message. We’re not in a position where we can turn people down when they play well.

“We want players who are playing well.

“Players need to know they’ve got to compete for the shirt and you have to remember that we’ve had Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook doing well in midfield. It’s unlucky that some of the seniors have found themselves out of the picture.

“But I have to say that their attitude in training while they’ve been out has been exemplary. You can see that from the way they came in and performed here.”