Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has suggested teenage defender Leif Davis could breakthrough into the Championship squad this season.

The 19-year-old has started both of the Whites Carabao Cup games this season and provided the assist for Helder Costa’s equaliser against Stoke City on Tuesday.

He has not been given quite the same opportunities in the Championship, Davis came on as a substitute for the final five minutes of Leeds’ season opener against Bristol City but has not even made the squad for any of the league games since.

However, speaking to Leeds Live ahead of the game against Swansea City on Saturday, Bielsa indicated there may be hope for the teenager moving forward.

Asked if he felt Davis was a player who could work himself into the Championship squad as the season goes on, he said: “Of course he can.”

He added: “He was one of the players that had a positive performance in that game (against Stoke City).

“He didn’t make the mistakes he made in previous games. He made corrections.”

A versatile defender who is comfortable at both left-back and centre-back, Davis made his senior debut under Bielsa last season.

He went on to make five appearances for the Whites in the 2018/19 campaign, the majority of which came as a substitute on the left side of defence.

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The Verdict

Davis put in a good showing against Stoke on Tuesday, looking more assured in the second half once he was partnered with Ben White.

It will likely be a bigger blow for him than most that his side were not able to win the penalty shoot-out and qualify for the next round because it reduces his chances for first-team football.

It should be positive to hear that his manager does consider him as someone who could break through this season.

He only has to look at the opportunities that Jamie Shackleton and Jack Clarke got last season to see there is a definite path to increased first-team chances if he can prove himself to Bielsa.