'I can't wait to play against him' - Leeds United's Mateusz Klich relishing meeting with familiar face in Southampton clash

Mateusz Klich is relishing a meeting with international teammate Jan Bednarek as Leeds United host Southampton this evening.

The Whites welcome Ralph Hasenhuttl's side to Elland Road in the Premier League (6pm) with just two points separating the two teams in the top flight standings.

United have lost two games on the bounce while the Saints halted a six match losing streak by earning a point against Chelsea last weekend on home soil at St Mary's.

The game will also see two Poland internationals meet on opposite sides, if selected, as Leeds playmaker Klich takes on Southampton defender Bednarek.

Klich, who has made 22 starts this season under Marcelo Bielsa, says he is looking forward to meeting his countryman in LS11 tonight.

“I have a friend there who plays in defence and I can't wait to play against him, because in the last international break we were talking about playing each other, so let’s play," Klich said ahead of kick-off.

“Obviously he likes the way we play and he said this is very similar to the way they play because they also try to press high and try to recover ball as quickly as possible.

“We were talking like it's going to be nice game because I think it's going to be very, very open and a very quick game, so I'm looking forward to it.

“You want to challenge with the best players and the best teams, so it'll be a nice game to watch for neutral fans I guess.”

Asked about Southampton's season so far, Klich added: "They were unbelievable [in the opening few months of the season].

“They play really good football, ball possession, aggressive, they run a lot as well. To be fair, they play very similarly to us, although they score more free kick goals!

“We know we have to make sure we don't kick anyone around the edge of the box, because it's basically a penalty for James Ward-Prowse."