Leeds United's Barry Douglas earned something better than EFL team of the week spot

Deputising for the injured Stuart Dallas, who travelled to Lancashire but didn’t pass fit for the fixture, Douglas showed no signs of rustiness despite making just his fifth start and 13th appearance of the season in the Championship.

Douglas began the season as Biela’s first-choice left-back, starting the first three games, before falling down the pecking order and struggling with niggling injuries.

Yet at Ewood Park, he was Leeds’ most accurate passer, completing 89.3 per cent of his 56 passes.

Four of his seven long-ball attempts were successful and he made two key passes – the final pass before an unsuccessful attempt at goal.

Only Jack Harrison (3) had more key passes of any player on the pitch and Liam Cooper was the only man to have more touches than Douglas’ tally of 77.

The Scot won two tackles, made an interception and forced a save from Christian Walton with a free-kick.

The left-back earned a spot in the EFL team of the week with his performance but, more importantly, earned praise from his boss.

“Defensively he had a good match, an efficient match,” said Bielsa.

“In the playing out he is always correct. And even though he didn’t attack a lot, he chose the right moments to attack.”

Bielsa acknowledges that Douglas has had a measure of misfortune to deal with this season, given injury and the impressive form of Dallas since the Ulsterman moved to left-back.

“In the position of left full-back, he was injured, then Dallas was one of the players with more impact in the team,” siad Bielsa.

“He couldn’t get continuity playing. And maybe this was the reason he didn’t play as much as you imagine.”

Leeds expect to have Dallas fit for Stoke City’s visit to Elland Road on Thursday evening.