Leeds United will be hoping they can hold their nerve in the race for promotion into the Premier League this season heading into the final nine games of this year's campaign. 

The Whites are currently sat top of the Championship table, and will fancy their chances of extending their seven-point advantage over third-placed Fulham as the season progresses.

One player that has been key to their impressive recent run of form is Illan Meslier, who has kept two clean sheets since coming into the starting XI for the suspended Kiko Casilla.

Leeds have won their last five league matches in a row, and are the form team heading into the conclusion of this year's campaign, and you have to feel as though this might finally be their time to return to the top-flight.

Meslier is only on loan with the Whites, but there has been reports claiming that the young Frenchman is keen to make his stay at Elland Road a permanent one in the future.

Speaking in an interview with Leeds Live, former Arsenal shot-stopper David Seaman has been impressed with what he has seen from Meslier so far this season, after watching him in action against the Gunners in the FA Cup earlier this year.

"He's very young. I was at the Arsenal game. I don't go to many games, but obviously Leeds playing at Arsenal was perfect so I was there. I was impressed with him. He looks confident, which for someone so young was good to see."

Seaman went on to admit that it's good to have competition for places in the goalkeeping department, as Leeds potentially prepare for life in the Premier League next season.

"It's nice to have competition. I quite liked Peacock-Farrell when I saw him. When they got Casilla in I was surprised to be honest, but it's good that there's competition."

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The Verdict: 

I've been really impressed by Meslier since he came into the starting XI for Leeds United.

He's shown that patience is key, as he's had to wait a long time to be given a chance in the starting XI by Marcelo Bielsa this season in the Championship.

If he can continue to impress from now until the end of the season, then I wouldn't be surprised to see him keep his place in the side ahead of Kiko Casilla.

You would imagine that Leeds will surely make Meslier's loan move a permanent one at the earliest of opportunities, as he looks like a player with a bright future ahead of him.