Jean-Kevin Augustin has posted on his Instagram story of him and Leeds United teammate Ian Poveda visiting the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance as they step up their push for full fitness.

Having signed in January from RB Leipzig and Manchester City respectively, there was a lot of hype built around the signings of these two, having been very highly rated by their clubs.

Marcelo Bielsa was keen to add more attacking bite to his squad after their misfiring current squad contributed to a massive dip in form that saw them allow Fulham to draw level on points after closing an 11-point gap down to goal difference.

Missed chances and a lack of end-product, in general, saw France under-21 international Augustin arrive along with England under-20 international Poveda.

Since then, neither have managed a league start with Augustin only mustering a total of 64 minutes on the pitch in three substitute appearances, while Poveda has been in and out of the matchday squad since joining.

The main reason behind this is their fitness, with both of them barely playing much first-team football in the first half of the season, which Bielsa has vehemently defended the decision to do so.

As they look to get up to Bielsa’s standard’s of fitness, the pair have travelled to Manchester Institute of Health and Performance to speed up their process ahead of a push for the starting 11 in the last 13 league games.

Augustin posted a humorous update on his Instagram as the pair spend their time looking to build up their match-sharpness:

The pair are looking to be in with a shout of at least making the bench as Leeds welcome Reading to Elland Road on Saturday.

Can you name these Leeds players based on their former clubs?

The verdict

It’s clear that Bielsa is eager to see the pair get up to match-fitness as quickly as possible to help their push for the top two, come May.

Poveda was very highly-regarded at the Etihad Stadium before moving across the Pennines so his inclusion in the matchday squad will be a huge boost when it comes.

Augustin has shown glimmers of quality in his cameos but it’s clear that he needs more time and this trip to Manchester could pay dividends for the pair going forward.

Patience is going to be needed for these two as they wait for a start at Leeds, but they are definitely going in the right direction.