Leeds United will be hoping they can hold their nerve in the race for promotion into the Premier League, with nine games remaining of the Championship season. 

Marcelo Bielsa's side are currently sat top of the second tier standings, and will be keen to extend their seven-point advantage over third-placed Fulham at the earliest of opportunities.

One player that has played his part in Leeds' promotion push this season is young goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who has kept two clean sheets in his last two appearances, since coming into the starting XI for the suspended Kiko Casilla.

Speaking in an interview with Leeds' official website, Stuart Dallas revealed that Meslier is the funniest team-mate at Leeds, and stated that the rest of the squad have taken to him since he arrived at the club in the summer of 2019.

"There are quite a few that think they’re funny, but they’re not, they’re quite annoying at times haha! Big Illan, he’s quiet but some of the things he comes out with are really funny.

"He’s a good lad, really loveable and the boys have taken really well to him. Obviously you have your jokers as well like Ezgjan Alioski, but I’d say Illan, he’s just so funny."

Due to recent off-the-field events, Leeds' push for promotion has been put on hold, with no scheduled return date being put in place as of yet.

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The Verdict: 

It's good to hear that the Leeds squad have taken to Meslier well since he arrived at Elland Road.

I still think that the young shot-stopper should have come into the Leeds starting XI earlier than when he did. Kiko Casilla's performances haven't been good enough at times this season, and Meslier has already shown that he's a good enough option to have between the posts for the Whites.

It'll be interesting to see whether Marcelo Bielsa opts to make his loan spell a permanent move in the summer transfer window, and the remaining nine league games could be crucial into any decision that Leeds make on his future.

He's settled in well on and off the pitch, and should definitely be signed permanently in my eyes.