Leeds United's local lad Jamie Shackleton closing in on last season's record as he targets starting Premier League role

The local lad, still only 21, has played nearly 300 minutes of top flight football for his boyhood club since their return from the EFL wilderness.

Head coach Marcelo Bielsa has started him on only one occasion but for Shackleton, any time he gets on the pitch against elite opposition is to be relished.

"Any involvement in this league and especially in this side, with the way that we play, is a great experience for myself," he said.

"I'm just really happy when I get the chance to be able to help the team.

"When I was younger it was all I could ask for to play for Leeds. At that time we were in League One and the Championship.

"I always said I wanted to play for Leeds in the Premier League and that's what I'm doing at the minute. It's great."

Standing in the way of more game time for Shackleton are some of Marcelo Bielsa's generals. Mateusz Klich is an ever-present occupant of the central midfield role that would be considered Shackleton's most natural position, while Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas hold down the right-back slot between them - a position to which Shackleton is also well suited.

Having already almost equalled the first team minutes he enjoyed last season, the Thorp Arch graduate's career is moving in the right direction.

The ultimate destination is a starting role but for now he's happy to put side before self and play the part of Bielsa's supporting cast.

"Obviously the aim is to get as many minutes as possible ad that means to be starting games and in the starting eleven," he said.

"That's the aim.

"Everyone in the squad is pushing for that and pushing for as many minutes as possible.

"That only makes the people around us and the team ultimately better to be in."