Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has claimed that Stuart Dallas has made himself a certain starter for the club, following his impressive start to the current campaign.

An injury to first-choice right-back Luke Ayling over the summer means that Dallas has been a regular in that position this season, starting all seven league games and receiving plenty of praise for his performances.

The 28-year-old has also recently signed a new four-year contract with the club, which is set to keep him at the club until the summer of 2023, and Whelan seems to think that is fully deserved.

Speaking to Football Insider about the Northern Ireland international's start to the season, the 44-year-old: “He looks like he’s playing with a smile on his face, he’s very, very fit, defensively he’s become a lot better – he’s a player that, at the minute, is straight into the team, he’s one of the first names on the teamsheet."

Comparing Dallas' performances this season with last year, Whelan continued: “The performances that he’s put in have been quite incredible, it’s nice to see him enjoying his football.

"Last season was hampered by injuries, he was in and out, but this season he’s started like a house on fire."

His praise for Dallas didn't stop there however, with Whelan concluding by describing him as: “Probably the most improved player in the squad, to be quite honest with you.”

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Dallas joined Leeds from Championship rivals Brentford in the summer of 2015, and has gone onto make a total of 152 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 15 goals.

The Verdict

I do think that Whelan has a point here.

There will surely have been concerns for Leeds about that right-back position following Ayling's injury, but Dallas has stepped in and put those worries to bed in no time at all, helping his side make a hugely encouraging start in their push for promotion to the Premier League.

Indeed, you do feel that Ayling himself will be slightly worried about his chances of forcing his way back into the Leeds side when he returns to fitness, given how impressive Dallas has been in that position.

It seems therefore, that the Northern Irishman's new contract at Elland Road is well deserved for the contribution he has already made this season for Bielsa's side.