Leeds United remain well on course to win a long-awaited promotion back into the Premier League this season under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa. 

The Whites are currently sat top of the Championship table, and are seven points clear of third-placed Fulham with just nine games remaining in this year's campaign.

The transformation since Marcelo Bielsa took charge of Leeds has been impressive so far in his time with the club, and they look well set to make a timely return to the top-flight.

One player that has played a key role in their bid for promotion this term is Luke Ayling, who has been a regular in the starting XI under the Argentine's management.

Ayling has made 29 appearances in all competitions this term, and has chipped in with four goals and four assists for the Yorkshire-based side.

The Elland Road faithful could be forgiven for having one eye on potential life in the top-flight next term, although recent off-the-field events have called an abrupt halt to fixtures across the EFL.

Marcelo Bielsa's former translator Salim Lamrani took to Twitter to respond to a question as to whether Ayling would be good enough to start for Leeds if they were in the Premier League next season.

It's safe to say that Lamrani rates the Leeds full-back highly, and labelled him as a 'courageous fighter', which is certain to go down well with the Elland Road faithful.

No scheduled return date has been put in place as of yet for fixtures to get back underway, as the relevant authorities continue to monitor the off-the-field crisis.

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The Verdict: 

This is brilliant.

Lamrani's memories and insights of his time with Leeds are a good read for the club's supporters, and I'm not surprised to hear him speaking highly of Ayling.

I'll admit that I had my doubts about the full-back at the start of the season, but he's certainly proven me wrong, and has played his part at both ends of the pitch for Leeds this term.

If he can continue to impress under the management of Marcelo Bielsa, then I think he'll go from strength to strength with Leeds in the Premier League next season.