Leeds United include Ghanaian striker Caleb Ekuban in squad for Myanmar trip

English Championship side Leeds United have included Ghanaian striker Caleb Ekuban to the squad that will travel to Myanmar for friendlies with clubs from the Asian country.  

The Ghanaian is joined by a handful of first team regulars as well as some U-18 and U-20 players. The team made up of 22 players will play friendlies against Myanmar national league All-Stars XI in Yangon on Wednesday before facing the national team in Mandalay on Friday.

Ekuban, who has suffered lots of criticisms from fans of the club this season look to revive his career under manager Paul Heckingbottom, who joined from Barnsley.

“It’s a mixture of a few boys who featured (on Sunday), a lot of 23s and some 18s,” said Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom after his side’s final-day win against QPR at the weekend.

“Me going to Myanmar, I’m not there for the football. I’m there for the club and for the team and the players, to get to know them more, to push them to understand what it’s like being in a first-team environment and for them to feel a bit more comfortable around us.”

Samuel Saiz, Ronaldo Vieira, Kalvin Phillips, Caleb Ekuban, Luke Ayling and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have flown out with the club, while the rest of the squad is made up of academy players.

Other players to have featured for the first team this season – Andy Lonergan, Tyler Denton, Tom Pearce, Jay-Roy Grot and Ryan Edmondson – have also travelled.

But Pablo Hernandez returned to Spain last week for the birth of his second child and Liam Cooper, set to become a new father shortly, Pontus Jansson and Gjanni Alioski are among those who have not.

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