Stuart Dallas opens up on being Leeds United's utility man under Marcelo Bielsa

Stuart Dallas says he is relishing the role as Marcelo Bielsa’s utility man at Leeds United.

The 28-year-old Northern Ireland international has become known at Elland Road for his versatility under the Argentinian’s watch.

Dallas last week played four positions against the Netherlands for the Green and White Army, which was a tip of the hat to both Whites boss Bielsa and the Cookstown native.

He joined United as a winger in 2015 from Championship rivals Brentford but has played both wing-back positions and in midfield this term already.

Dallas, though, is happy to play wherever is required for both club and country.

“Most of the time with Leeds and Northern Ireland I played as a winger,” he said.

“I’d played in the wing-back role occasionally as well. Under the manager (Bielsa) he’s seen me more as a full-back or wing-back and I’m happy with that.

“If somebody asked me now I would call myself a full-back. I enjoy playing there and it helps when you are playing with good players.

“We’ve got good players here and there is no better manager to learn under than the manager we have here.”

Dallas has been one of the Whites outstanding performers this season with Bielsa’s outfit sat third in the table ahead of the trip to Luton Town this weekend.

He initially covered at right-back during Luke Ayling’s absence early in the campaign before moving into midfield with a switch to left-back last time out during the 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Asked about his recent move into the middle of the park, he said: “It does benefit if you have somebody who can play in different positions.

“Sometimes it can work against you because you don’t get stuck in that one position where you can play week in week out and get used to it.

“It’s a big change for me going into central midfield, it’s not somewhere I’ve played before or my strongest position, but if the manager wants me to play there, I will play it to the best of my ability.

“I’m not going to be a world beater, but I’ll give it a go and if it means playing, that is what it is all about.”