Exclusive: Don Goodman reacts to 'brilliant news' involving Hull City and Leeds United | OneFootball

Joe Gelhardt is expected to see out the season at the MKM Stadium

Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Don Goodman believes it is "brilliant" for all three parties as Joe Gelhardt is set to see out the season with Hull City in his second loan stint in East Yorkshire away from parent club, Leeds United.

It has been a stunning first third of the campaign for the Tigers, as they currently find themselves fifth in the Championship table, completely surpassing the expectations placed on them by many outsiders ahead of Sergej Jakirovic's first season at the MKM Stadium.

The Bosnian became the seventh permanent boss of Acun Ilicali's spell in the boardroom back in June when he moved from Turkish Süper Lig side, Kayserispor, in order to venture into the English game for the first time in his playing or managerial career.

Such developments came after a chaotic season for Hull, who avoided a second spell in League One within the past five years on goal difference ahead of Luton Town, although it wasn't enough to save Ruben Selles' job, as the Spaniard was dismissed 11 days later, before enduring a contrasting start to the second-tier season at City's Yorkshire rivals, Sheffield United.

It was the Spaniard, though, who oversaw Gelhardt's first move across the M62 in January, with the forward swapping limited gametime in the Whites' eventual title-winning campaign under Daniel Farke to become a key player in the Tigers' survival bid, with five goals in just 20 league appearances making him the club's second-highest scorer behind veteran striker, Joao Pedro.

The former England youth international then returned to the MKM ahead of the season opener against Coventry City in August, much to the delight of all associated with the club, and Jakirovic is reaping the rewards of such a smart deal, which was conducted amid the well-known backdrop of a transfer fee restriction, which is also in place for the upcoming January window.

Despite moving to Leeds for £1m from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2020, Gelhardt has only made 57 appearances for the West Yorkshire side and scored three times, with the last of those coming through an eight-minute substitute cameo against Norwich City last October.

Since then, he has become a firm favourite with Hull supporters due to his goalscoring exploits and a constant fearlessness when battling against opposition defences.

As such, speculation grew as to whether Leeds would opt to recall the 23-year-old due to his fine form this season, with a recall clause inserted in the loan agreement, which City boss, Jakirovic, has now revealed he begged Ilicali to strike for a month.

However, it has been reported that Gelhardt will see the season out with the Tigers, as he looks to build on a strong tally of seven goals and two assists in his first 15 league appearances of the season.

Unsurprisingly, this has been viewed as a positive for all involved by Goodman.

"It's brilliant news for Joe Gelhardt and Hull City," the pundit exclusively told Football League World.

"I've just read an interview where Joe has gone on record saying how happy he is at Hull.

"He's happy because he's playing in a system that suits him, in a team playing to his strengths, he's playing week-in, week-out, and the numbers do, literally, speak for themselves," Goodman explained.

"Five goals in the past six games, a couple of assists as well. Finally, that potential we all thought he had, is just starting to come to fruition on a bit more of a consistent basis.

"And, if you're Leeds United, the better he does at Hull, the more money you're going to get for him. It's a win-win all-round, I would say," he added.

Hull City are already eyeing potential permanent deal for Joe Gelhardt

As Goodman alluded to, there are many reasons why Hull are continuing to see the best version of Gelhardt, who added to his tally last time out with a smart lifted finish that secured a 3-2 success over Portsmouth.

The man who provided him with the assist, Charlie Hughes, is one of the pre-established connections the forward had within the City ranks, as well as his attacking colleague, Kyle Joseph, with all three coming through the ranks at Wigan.

Gelhardt is under contract at Elland Road until 2027 at present, with it being reported that Leeds set an asking price of between £3-4m for clubs attempting to prize the attacker away on a permanent basis.

Unsurprisingly, Hull are hopeful of doing just that, although they will have to wait until the end of the season, as a result of the aforementioned transfer restrictions imposed by the EFL.