Exclusive: Marc Leonard exit prediction made at Birmingham City - "he'll be knocking at the door" | OneFootball

Don Goodman believes that game time in the Championship for Marc Leonard will be a rarity this season

Don Goodman feels that Marc Leonard will be searching for a move away from Birmingham City, as the transfer window reaches its final weeks.

The 23-year-old has become a victim of the Blues' rapid growth as a side over the last 12 months. Last summer, he was a promising arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion, having played 91 of 92 league games on loan at Northampton Town in the two seasons prior.

However, after being a useful option from the bench for most of his debut campaign at St Andrew's, the addition of Tommy Doyle, especially, has meant that the already slim chances of him usurping Tomoki Iwata or Paik Seung-ho in the middle of the park are next to none.

So far this season, Leonard has been an unused substitute in both Championship games this season, and whilst the 23-year-old started in their EFL Cup first-round win over Sheffield United, the likelihood is that it will just be sporadic cup games in which the former Brighton man will appear.

Therefore, Goodman, a current EFL pundit, feels that he'll want to find somewhere where his minutes won't be as restricted this season.

Don Goodman gives verdict on Marc Leonard's future at Birmingham City

In an exclusive interview with Football League World, Don Goodman gave his opinion on the current midfield competition at Birmingham and feels that Leonard won't be getting many league starts this season.

"If you're Marc Leonard, it's clear that Paik and Iwata are going to be the first choice central midfielders, and there are one or two other options for Chris Davies in those areas," he said.

"What's really telling is that, in the two Championship games so far, Leonard hasn't come onto the pitch despite both games being tight, especially in the Blackburn Rovers game last weekend, where they were searching, prompting and probing for a way back into the game."

Birmingham's two Championship games so far this season have been polar opposites in terms of tactics regarding substitutions for Chris Davies.

On opening day, they had to defend a slim 1-0 lead as Ipswich Town searched for an equaliser, whilst away at Blackburn, it was the Blues who were searching for the goals late on. As Goodman alluded to, Leonard wasn't used in either scenario.

"It's evident that his minutes will be restricted this season," Goodman continued.

"So, from his personal point of view, he'll be knocking at the door and wanting to find a club where he's going to be playing week in, week out."

Marc Leonard would be a useful squad option for Birmingham City this season

Ultimately, it will be up to Leonard himself as to whether his short-term future lies away from St Andrew's, as it's clear that, currently, Davies values him as a solid squad option.

He's been named in both matchday squads so far, and his inclusion from the off against Sheffield United in the EFL Cup means that there is potential to see game time in the Championship for the first time in his career this season, albeit limited.

If any of those ahead of Leonard in the midfield pecking order have to miss games through suspension or injury, then the former Brighton youngster will be able to slot in with ease and keep up with the quality of the Birmingham side.

However, you wouldn't blame him for wanting to explore at least a loan move elsewhere. At 23, there's still room for him to grow and become a better player, and he'll need regular game time to prove that, something that doesn't look as if it will come at St Andrew's.

Every team needs sufficient squad depth, and Leonard provides that at Birmingham. But time will tell whether the Scotsman is fine with just being a squad option at his current club.