Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills has expressed his concerns over the effectiveness of new striker Jean-Kevin Augustin's match preparation methods. 

The 22-year-old joined United on-loan from RB Leipzig in January and has since made three appearances for the Whites off the bench.

Augustin has also featured in two of United's under-23 matches since joining the club in January but wasn't part of the side that beat Bolton Wanderers 4-1 nine days ago.

Despite the 22-year-old getting minutes with the under-23s, former Leeds United right-back Danny Mills believes Augustin would be better served preparing with first-team training sessions.

Mills turned out 131 times for Leeds between 1999 and 2004 and went to the 2002 World Cup with England, before going on to have spells with Manchester City, Middlesbrough, and Derby County.

Speaking to Football Insider on Friday the 42-year-old said: "Realistically, the under-23 games, he can probably get better fitness in training, he’d probably get more sharpness and a bit more realism.

"I’m not sure how competitive those types of game can be for that type of player," the former defender added.

Discussing the impact of Marcelo Bielsa's training sessions, Mills added: "He can work harder, he can get more about it and get that fitness, that sharpness that he would need. 

"I think and under-23 game is more or less an endurance session. It won’t be anywhere near the intensity of a first-team game," continued the former England man.

Augustin was not included in Marcelo Bielsa's matchday squad for the home games against Millwall and Wigan but has featured in every game since.

United welcome Reading to Elland Road on Saturday and it looks likely Bielsa will stick with the Frenchman on the bench for the clash with the Royals.

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The Verdict

Mills does make some fair arguments here in suggesting that Augustin would have the opportunity to work harder in a first-team training session rather than an under-23s game.

The under-23s games tend to have a lower intensity and whilst Augustin wants to build up his fitness he would most definitely be suited to training sessions and minutes in the first-team.

You can appreciate the reasoning behind the decisions to allow Augustin to be available for the under-23s side as it will in some way help his match sharpness, but that may work better if he is given more of a chance in a first-team game.