Leeds United defender Luke Ayling has sent a motivational message to teammate Leif Davis after the 19-year-old signed a new long-term deal at the club. 

Davis has been on the fringes of Marcelo Bielsa's first-team squad this season and was earmarked by the Argentine coach as someone who could break into the senior side.

The defender has started twice in the Carabao Cup and featured three times from the bench in the Championship–with two of those coming in the last two games.

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He appears to be someone that the club believe has a bright future as the teenager has been given a new three-and-a-half-year deal, tying him down until 2023.

Davis announced the news on Instagram yesterday and received congratulatory responses from the majority of the Whites squad.

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Ayling, who is one of the more experienced members of Bielsa's squad and has worn the captain's armband in Liam Cooper's absence in the past, sent a motivational message to the teenager.

The 28-year-old was himself given a new deal by the Whites earlier this season, signing a new four-year deal back in October.

The Verdict

A versatile defender who is capable of playing both centrally and on the flanks, there are definitely similarities to be drawn between Davis and Ayling.

The 19-year-old could find a much worse role model than Ayling, who has been described as a "complete player" by Bielsa in the past.

As the opportunities given to the likes of Jamie Shackleton and Jack Clarke show, the pathway is there for young players under the Argentine coach, however, Davis needs to take his teammate's message on board and kick on now to earn a regular place in the side.