Rising Leeds United star Pascal Struijk taking inspiration from Wolves, Sheffield United and Leicester City

Leeds are heading back to the country's top flight for the first time since the club's relegation in May 2004 following a superb season in head coach Marcelo Bielsa's second year at the helm.

Fourteen months after the heartache of defeat in the 2018-19 play-off semi-finals to Derby County, United sealed automatic promotion to the Premier League in the ultimate style by going up as champions and finishing ten points clear of second-placed West Brom.

Struijk has also made giant strides personally and says his squad have every belief that they can more than hold their own upon their to-flight return with Sheffield United providing the most recent encouraging example.

Chris Wilder's Blades ultimately beat Leeds to the Championship's second automatic promotion place last season and the Steel City outfit have enjoyed a fine return to the Premier League in finishing ninth.

Wolves, who were only promoted as Championship winners in 2018, have sealed two consecutive seventh-placed finishes while Leicester provide the ultimate example of continuing a success story following promotion to the top tier with the Foxes taking the 2014 Championship title and then sensationally becoming champions of England two years later.

Speaking to ad.nl, Whites defender or midfielder Struijk was asked if he thought Leeds could continue their progress in the Premier League and said: “Yes, there is certainly that belief.

"Clubs such as Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United have shown in recent years that it is possible to join the sub-top.

"Of course we want that too.

"I don't think the selection will change much, but the competition doesn't start until September 12."

Reflecting on the work of Whites head coach Bielsa, 20-year-old Struijk said: "He is of course a bit mysterious, but really loved by the players and the supporters.

"He only speaks Spanish, but through his assistants he can perfectly convey his message to the players.

"He demands full intensity on every workout. They are often just as heavy as the competitions.

"In the three weeks before the resumption, we also trained hard for two hours every day, so we were all in top shape. ”

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Thank you Laura Collins