Sancho wants starting place

– Jadon Sancho (above) hopes his reputation for being a “weapon” off the bench for Borussia Dortmund will win the England Under-19 international a starting berth against Monaco in the Champions League tonight.

The 18-year-old wants a place in Lucien Favre’s line-up after once more proving his worth on Saturday, when he helped seal a 4-2 comeback Bundesliga win at Bayer Leverkusen with two devastating assists.

He set up Marco Reus for the equaliser at the BayArena a minute after coming on, and he then sent Paco Alcacer away on a counter-attack for the second of the Spaniard’s two late goals as Dortmund went top of the table.

He has appeared as a substitute in each of Dortmund’s six Bundesliga outings this season, but he did start in their opening Champions League game, when they won 1-0 at Club Brugge to get off to the perfect start in Group A.

Sancho now craves a regular starting berth after providing six assists as well as one goal in the Bundesliga, although he admits he is at his best running at tiring defences as a substitute.

“I just had a bit more energy,” the junior England international, who joined last year from Manchester City, told Bundesliga.com of his stunning display at Leverkusen.

“The rest were a bit tired and I came on to help the team. The coach keeps rotating so that’s how strong this team is.

“Obviously, I don’t want to be a sub, but if I keep on working hard, hopefully I can get in the starting team.”

The English teenager’s six assists makes him the top goal provider in all of Europe’s top five leagues so far this season. –

Dortmund