Leeds United captain Liam Cooper reportedly played an important role in reassuring on-loan defender Ben White in his early days at the Yorkshire club.

White joined on a season-long loan from Brighton in the summer and has become a key part of the side–starting every Championship game and helping the side to concede the fewest goals and keep the most clean sheets in the division.

However, it appears there was a time when he thought he may not be able to cut it at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa.

According to The Athletic, White told his mum during his first week at the club that he wasn't sure if he was going to be up to it and struggled with the intensity of the training.

That's when his current centre-back partner and club captain Cooper stepped in to reassure him.

The Athletic's report suggests that the Scotsman said to him: "Dig in and you’ll be fine."

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White has been more than fine–playing a key role in the fantastic start to the season that has seen Leeds climb up the Championship.

The Verdict

Bielsa's training methods are renowned for being intense, so it's unsurprising to hear that White struggled to adapt early on.

Leeds fans will surely love to hear that their club captain took responsibility and reassured the 22-year-old.

Cooper was right, White has been more than fine at the club so far. Both with and without the ball the Brighton loanee has been unflappable up to this point and looks set to play a key role in the Whites' promotion push.