French boss hails progress of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier

Former FC Lorient loanee Meslier only made his Leeds debut in January when impressing in United's 1-0 loss at Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.

Kiko Casilla's eight-game ban then provided Meslier with a chance in the league and the Frenchman responded in style by keeping seven clean sheets from his ten outings as Leeds romped to promotion to the Premier League as Championship champions.

Meslier's loan switch to Leeds was then turned into a permanent transfer for a fee of around £5m in July and even with Casilla back available, the 20-year-old Frenchman has now established himself as United's first choice 'keeper in the country's top flight.

Internationally, having already been capped by France at under-18s, 19s and 20s level, Meslier is now part of the French under-21s squad managed by Ripoll whose side are in action on Thursday evening with a Euro Under-21s qualifier at home to Liechtenstein (kick-off 8pm).

FC Nantes custodian Alban Lafont and Montpellier's Dimitry Bertaud and are the other two 'keeper's in Ripoll's squad with Lafont having made five appearances for France's under-21s and Bertaud just the one.

Meslier will now be hoping for his under-21s debut and boss Ripoll told French sports daily L’Equipe: “We are delighted to see Illan at this level.

“He finished last season well and has started the new one very well.

“For this position as for the others, there is competition.

“We will see how things evolve.

“I can only be delighted to have number one goalkeepers, which has not always been the case for the Under-21s.”

France's under-21s also host Slovakia on Monday evening in another Euro Under-21s qualifier (kick-off 8pm).

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Thank you Laura Collins