Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has spoken out about the recent performances of in-form midfielder Ezgjan Alioski who has been a vital part in Bielsa's side's success this season.

The Whites are sat in 3rd in the Championship after their opening 12 league games and the Macedonian winger has played a vital part in the team's impressive performances this season.

The midfielder has already scored three times and assisted a further three times and has started all 12 league games for Bielsa's side.

The 26-year-old was also in good form during the international break as he was on target for Macedonia as they comfortably beat Liechtenstein 4-0 in their UEFA Nations League campaign.

Alioski has been recently been utilised as a makeshift left-back in the absence of first-choice defender Barry Douglas who has been ruled out through injury.

Bielsa told Leeds Live about Alioski playing at left-back: 'So far he has given us good response as a winger. To put him in a full-back position just in case it’s a necessity for us.

'It’s either because of the result of the game or either for the features of the opponents who play in this sector.'

With Douglas not winning his battle to be fit in time to face Blackburn this weekend, it is likely that Alioski or Stuart Dallas could fill in at left-back for Bielsa's side as they aim to get off to the perfect start after the international break.

The Verdict: 

Alioski has been a vital part of Marcelo Bielsa's side this season and I think he will continue to be ever-present in the Leeds starting XI as the season progresses.

With the Macedonian showing he is comfortable playing at both left-back and in midfield, it shows to the Leeds boss that Alioski is willing to play wherever is needed in order to feature for a Leeds side that are chasing promotion this season.

Alioski and his Leeds teammates will be looking to make a statement to their promotion rivals with a positive result at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.