Steve Evans believes Jordan Botaka has given himself an opportunity to have a future at Leeds United, following his impressive performances in recent games.

The 22-year-old, who was signed by Leeds from Dutch top tier side Excelsior last summer under the supervision of former boss Uwe Rosler, fell down the pecking order at Elland Road after Evans took charge of the club in October.




Although Botaka was forced to play with the Under-21s, the DR Congo international has managed to feature for the first team in recent weeks.

Botaka played 15 minutes in the 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 19th April before featuring for 45 minutes against Hull last weekend, with him providing the assist for Leeds’ equaliser in the 2-2 draw at the KC Stadium.
 


And Evans, who has been pleased with Botaka’s recent performances, insisted that the player was hurting when he was not in the first team picture.

relatedNewsStory

“He’s certainly given himself an opportunity to have a future here”, Evans told the club’s official site.

“You can never decide after 10-15 minutes and a second half at Hull, but what I do know is that the kid came on against Wolves with a real point to prove – and I felt he made it.

“That 10-15 minutes against Wolves allowed me to think more positively about putting him in the team at half-time at Hull.

“I thought he had a really industrious second half and it was even better when he set up the equalising goal.

“I’m pleased for Jordan, he’s a lovely kid and he’s a good professional. He hurts when he’s not in the team.

“As a head coach, that’s what you want – you have to hurt when you’re not in the team.”

Botaka, who is contracted with Leeds until 2017, has thus far made 17 appearances in all competitions for the Yorkshire giants.