YEP: Aidan White interviewhttp://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/Leeds-United-Aidan-White-interview.6637736.jpIt took less than an hour for Aidan White to realise how beneficial a stint away from Leeds United might be.
A first senior goal on his debut for Oldham Athletic was an immediate example of what time on loan at another club could do for his career.
The teenage defender was one of two players sent out of Elland Road last week, both with instructions to take advantage of all the senior football they could get.
White's exit from Elland Road had been planned for some time, delayed only by injuries to other members of United's squad and then to himself. Last Wednesday, having been conspicuous by his absence from a reserve-team fixture against Hull City the previous evening, he joined Oldham for four weeks with the intention of making the appearances that Grayson could not promise him at Leeds.
Grayson was reluctant to make cuts to his squad while injury and suspension bit into it during the first two months of the season but the club have given increasing attention to finding opportunities for the players at the back of their first-team queue.
White holds particular distinction and significance at Elland Road, the last footballer to win a senior contract on the strengths of his performances in their academy. Grayson speaks highly of White but has struggled to find room in his team or his matchday squads for a player who, while known as a full-back, is seen by his manager as a more natural left winger.
Earlier this month, on the day of United's 3-2 victory at Coventry City, White played in an under-18s fixture against Middlesbrough at Thorp Arch.
It suited both him and his parent club to accept the approach made by Oldham manager and one-time Leeds striker Paul Dickov last week.
"It's been a bit frustrating," said White. "I've been involved with the first-team squad on a number of occasions this season but I've only played three times.
"I spoke to the manager and he thought it would be a good idea to go out on loan, play games and get experience."
Dickov trained with White while under contract at Elland Road last season and saw at first-hand the ability of one of the quickest players in United's squad.
"Aidy's got quality," Dickov said. "The more games he gets under his belt, the better he'll be.
"He's quick and versatile. He can play at full-back or anywhere across the midfield and he's a threat because he has raw pace."
White and Clayton were involved in League One fixtures last night,with White again netting in the Latics' 3-3 draw with Exeter City, and Clayton playing the full 90 minutes for Posh .
They might not be the last of the first-team squad members at Leeds to leave on a temporary basis before the emergency loan deadline.
The Football League will draw a line under the loan market at 5pm tomorrow and outgoing transfers from Elland Road appear more likely than incoming deals.
The reserve team used by Leeds in last week's 6-3 victory over Hull contained no fewer than 11 senior professionals, six of whom subsequently failed to make their squad at Norwich City on Saturday.
Grayson is likely to listen to offers for Jason Crowe and Leigh Bromby,
neither of whom have been seriously