Loanee Lewie has capitalised on Fleetwood Town experience

Lewie Coyle is hoping to cement a spot in Leeds United's first team when he returns to Elland Road this summer after helping Fleetwood Town to League One safety.
Lewie Coyles season-long loan at Fleetwood Town is nearing a conclusionLewie Coyles season-long loan at Fleetwood Town is nearing a conclusion
Lewie Coyles season-long loan at Fleetwood Town is nearing a conclusion

The 22-year-old has been a regular starter on the right-hand side of defence during a season-long loan spell at Highbury which ends in four games.

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As he prepares to face Blackpool today, Coyle hopes the experience will stand him in good stead and impress new Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom.

If he needs an inspiration then he only has to look at Ben Davies, who impressed on loan from Preston North End last season and since gone on to become a regular in the Championship.

“This year was always about coming out, playing games, gaining valuable experience and having that platform to kick on,” Coyle said.

“I want to go back to Leeds in the summer, have a successful pre-season and try and cement a first team spot in the Leeds United team.”

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Having been brought in by Uwe Rosler, Coyle has seen Town climb the table under his replacement, John Sheridan.

The former Leeds United favourite has guided Town up the table with one defeat in nine games taking them to 54 points.

Coyle admitted: “I’ve learned a hell of a lot, both physically and mentally, about myself and football in general.

“Coming here was about getting games and more games on my CV and gaining valuable experience – and I feel like I have ticked all of the boxes in that aspect.

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“It has been a very good season on a personal level but more importantly, for the team, we haven’t had the season we first wanted.

“But from where we were a couple of months ago to now I think it is testament to how well we have done; I think it has been a brilliant turnaround.”

The aim now is to finish as high as they can in League One, starting with today’s trip to Bloomfield Road.

“We wanted to be involved in the play-offs and the rest of it but it was not to be,” Coyle said.

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“We just want to finish as strongly and as high as possible. If you are relegated on 54 points you would be incredibly unlucky.

“We are in control of it now; we have done brilliantly to get from where we were to where we are now.

“Nothing is set in stone in football until we are mathematically safe.”