After a stunning 2017/18 season with second-tier Champions Wolves, Barry Douglas arrived at Leeds to plenty of excitement.

In that title winning season he had established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs around, racking up five goals and 14 assists, so hopes were high that he could do the same for the Whites.

However, it proved a difficult season for the 29-year-old as he struggled to adapt to his manager's intense system, ending the campaign with just five assists and a knee ligament injury.

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It was a knock that saw him miss the final two months of the season as Leeds' promotion dreams crumbled after so much promise.

But, with the popular Bielsa confirming that he will be staying on as manager for another season at least, optimism has began to rise again and Douglas is already taking the right steps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a short family holiday once the season had ended, he has already returned to Thorp Arch to start his pre-season preparations - and under a manager like Bielsa, this could be crucial.

Before the start of last season, there was plenty of animosity towards many members of the squad following a poor 2017/18 campaign.

But Bielsa came in and gave everybody a chance. Mateusz Klich made arguably the biggest improvement last season but that would not have happened had he not impressed his manager during the month or so before the campaign kicked off.

And after an underwhelming first season, Douglas now finds himself in a similar situation. He is not on as much of a back-foot as Klich perhaps was, but there is certainly work to be done.

Even before his injury he had been regularly dropped to the bench with Bielsa favouring the pace and energy of Gjanni Alioski on the left side of his defence.

But if Douglas can come back from his injury strongly then he has every chance of changing the mind of his manager.

That his why his early return to training is such a promising sign - both for him and the fans.

He is clearly ready to fight for his place and put the hard work in to become the menace he promised to be on his arrival.