Despite almost two weeks without Championship football, Leeds United fans will likely be heading out of the international break with their spirits high.

The Whites are third in the league, three points behind leaders Swansea City, and over the break, there has been some good news coming out of the club.

Talismanic midfielder Kalvin Phillips has signed a new five-year deal, while there were a number of positives to take from the under-23s' 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace under-23s on Monday.

In the game, Tyler Roberts featured for the first time since his injury last season, back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier put in a fantastic performance and there was a return to for Leif Davis.

Davis was stretchered off 15 minutes into the under-23s' clash with Bristol City last week.

Little was known about the extent of the injury early on but the defender is understood to have looked in “some discomfort” following the challenge.

His presence in the starting XI and the “characteristically lively display” he put in may not have drawn the same sort of attention as Roberts' return but it is a huge boost for the Whites.

According to Leeds Live, Davis did not appear to be affected at all by the injury, so it seems it is not as bad as it could have been.

As the season wears on Davis’ fitness could prove vital.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been excellent defensively in the 2019/20 campaign. They’ve conceded the least goals in the Championship, three, and have kept clean sheets in three of their six league games.

However, it is impossible to ignore that as a defensive unit the Whites look light in terms of numbers.

Ben White joined on loan this season and has been fantastic at the heart of Leeds’ backline but the Yorkshire club did not replace Pontus Jansson, meaning White, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi are the only central defenders in Bielsa’s squad.

The Argentine coach seems to see Davis as a man who can provide the necessary cover–the teenager has made three appearances already this season and the Whites boss has suggested he is capable of breaking into the side.

Luke Ayling is thought to be a while away from returning, Cooper has already missed games this term and it is going to be a long season–Davis could yet have an important impact on Leeds promotion push.

Looking long-term, his performance yesterday is good news as, at 19, this is a vital point in the defender’s development and a long-term injury could’ve had serious detrimental effects on his career.

With Davis back and playing with his usual vigour, there is no need to worry either long- or short-term and focus can shift to Barnsley on Sunday.