Former England international Stan Collymore has backed Leeds United to win promotion this season and feels they will make a big impact on the Premier League.

Marcelo Bielsa's side currently hold a five point lead over third placed Fulham in the race for automatic promotion and the emphatic 4-0 success over Hull on Saturday made it four wins on the spin.

And, whilst some Whites fans won't get carried away given how the team have fallen apart in the past, Collymore feels promotion is inevitable and he expects a lot from the Yorkshire side next season as well.

"Leeds took a step closer to their long-overdue return to the Premier League this week - and I'm putting my marker down early," Leeds Live reveal he told the Sunday People.

"With the way they operate under manager Marcelo Bielsa and fewer games to play, they are going to surprise one or two people next season. You mark my words."

The side are back in action this weekend when they welcome rivals Huddersfield Town to Elland Road.

The verdict

You can understand where Collymore is coming from as Leeds are a club with serious potential if they do win promotion.

They have the manager, the fan base and the resources to make a serious impact on the top-flight and they will take encouragement from the likes of Sheffield United and particularly Wolves who have flourished after going up.

Of course, some fans won't want to tempt fate and the only focus is on winning automatic promotion right now and that's not a given with Fulham and Nottingham Forest still in the mix.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.