Former England international Darren Bent has praised Leeds United as they look to tie down Barry Douglas to a longer contract.

Even though the former Wolves man hasn't been a regular for Marcelo Bielsa this season, with Stuart Dallas preferred at left-back, Douglas has still played a part in helping the Whites to the top of the Championship and he impressed in the win at Blackburn last week.

With a year left on his current deal, The Athletic reporter Phil Hay revealed talks are underway to extend the Scotsman's contract and Bent told Football Insider it makes sense for Leeds to do that.

"What you want to do, you want to get these things tied up sooner rather than later. I always feel the teams that are better equipped in the Premier League, when they come up from the Championship, are the ones who get their business done early.

"If Leeds can sort out these situations now, as you said about Douglas, Jack Harrsion, Helder Costa’s signed – if they can sort these out now then all they’ve got to do is find additions that are going to make them better rather than scramble around to replace players they’ve had this season."

Douglas is likely to be on the bench as Bielsa's men take on Swansea this afternoon.

The verdict

You can totally understand where Bent is coming from and it is important that the Yorkshire outfit are fully prepared for the Premier League if, or when, promotion is confirmed.

That means sorting new deals and with Douglas entering the final 12 months of his contract, an extension is sensible.

Even though he won't be a regular, he is a useful player to have in the squad and has quality on the ball.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.