Marcelo Bielsa says Jean-Kevin Augustin's Leeds United exit was 'most convenient' course of action

The Whites head coach was asked for his thoughts on the striker, who came in on loan from RB Leipzig in January but played just 48 minutes of Championship football before the club decided not to extend the loan deal until the end of the season.

Augustin picked up a hamstring injury in training back in February which kept him out of action and although he battled back to fitness during lockdown, when Leeds returned to action Bielsa revealed the 23-year-old wasn't available for selection because he was doing 'necessary' individual fitness work at Thorp Arch.

Last week Leeds took the decision not to extend the loan and although there is an obligation to buy Augustin as part of the deal, the player's Elland Road future is shrouded in doubt.

Bielsa had little to say on the matter this afternoon during his press conference to preview the Stoke City game on Thursday, but did reveal the club's belief that they took the best course of action.

"When he finished [his loan spell], we evaluated if it was convenient that he stayed with us or went back to his original team," said the Argentine.

"We thought that the most convenient thing was to take the decision we did."

Without Augustin, Leeds have won two and drawn one of their games since the restart, with first choice striker Patrick Bamford netting in two of those fixtures.

They sit 10 points from automatic promotion with five games left in the season.