Paul Robinson gives backing to Leeds United number one Illan Meslier

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has given his backing to Elland Road number one Illan Meslier.

The 20-year-old shot stopper was handed the starting shirt by head coach Marcelo Bielsa on a permanent basis this summer in LS11.

The French Under-21s goalkeeper has made an impressive start to life in the top flight, putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Sheffield United last month after producing a number of impressive saves.

Though Meslier has only recorded one clean sheet in his four Premier League games so far this term, Leeds have acquired seven points and his mark has been left.

“You can see the young man is growing in confidence and he is getting better game by game," Robinson said of Meslier's abilities.

“He has been given the gloves and the number 1 jersey, which was a huge vote of confidence for him and since that point he has got better and he will continue to get better.

“You see different goalkeepers hitting their peaks at different times, but he is only 20.

“He’d only played 30 games in the French Second Division before Leeds took a chance on him and once again the recruitment at Elland Road proves to be successful.

“He’s not done a lot wrong since he came in at the end of the Championship campaign last season and he seems to have grown in stature since his debut against Arsenal.

“What impresses me is his shot to save ratio, I think it is around 78 per cent, which is going to be really important for Leeds going forward.”