Kalvin Phillips assesses qualities of Jean-Kevin Augustin and his next steps in Leeds United's promotion push

KALVIN PHILLIPS has highlighted the importance of Jean-Kevin Augustin matching Patrick Bamford's fitness and pressing levels in the hope of having a significant impact on Leeds United's promotion push.
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January forward recruit Augustin made his second Whites outing from the bench in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Championship hosts Brentford in replacing Bamford as a 76th-minute substitute in the lone striker role.

The Frenchman's appearance at Griffin Park came three days after his Whites debut which also came from the bench in again replacing Bamford in the 71st minute of Saturday's 2-0 loss at Nottingham Forest.

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Augustin, who has represented France at every youth level up to under-21s, joined United on loan to the end of the season from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig on January 27, cutting short his loan in the French top flight with Monaco.

BUILDING UP: Leeds United's new striker signing Jean-Kevin Augustin makes a break during his second Whites outing as a second-half substitute in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Brentford. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.BUILDING UP: Leeds United's new striker signing Jean-Kevin Augustin makes a break during his second Whites outing as a second-half substitute in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Brentford. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
BUILDING UP: Leeds United's new striker signing Jean-Kevin Augustin makes a break during his second Whites outing as a second-half substitute in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Brentford. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

The striker joined the Whites having made only four league starts in the last 15 months, two for Monaco and one for Leipzig with all of his outings coming either from the bench or in cups.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa has already warned that Augustin will need to go through an adaptation period before he is able to compete for a starting berth.

Bielsa admitted following Augustin's arrival that similar adaptation periods with previous new recruits had taken over a month.

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Speaking after returning to the Whites team following a three-match ban, Phillips admitted he was impressed with Augustin's attributes and hoping that the striker could now build his way up to Bamford's fitness levels.

"I hope he has a good impact," said Phillips.

"He's a big lad, he's strong, he's fast.

"Obviously he's a different player to Pat.

"Now we just need to try and get his fitness up there and get him pressing as well as Pat does."

Augustin's Whites debut from the bench at Forest came after two outings for United's under-23s on Monday and Friday with the striker playing 45 minutes in each game.