'You can't ask anymore' - Diego Llorente and senior Leeds United stars hailed after Under-23s victory

Leeds United Under-23s boss Mark Jackson has hailed the attitude of goalscorer Diego Llorente and several other senior stars.

The Whites development side secured a battling 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Thorp Arch on Monday afternoon.

Llorente was making his comeback from injury following his debut at Chelsea last month and bagged the only goal of the game with a header in the first half before his half-time substitution.

Marcelo Bielsa made a number of first team players available for the meeting at the club's training ground alongside the Spain international with Kalvin Phillips, Helder Costa, Tyler Roberts and Ian Poveda all featuring.

Leeds have a short break until their next Premier League fixture, which is against Newcastle United next Tuesday, after this week's top flight clash with Southampton was postponed.

Jackson - who saw his team claim back-to-back wins in the development league - was left pleased by his side's showing, praising those who dropped into the academy ranks.

"They show a fantastic attitude and application," Jackson reflected post-match.

"The boys who did it in the first half and the performances of Llorente, Phillips, Roberts, Costa and Poveda. They always show a great attitude and application to work with the younger boys.

"You can't ask anymore from them. It's really pleasing for us that they can step down and the young players can experience playing with the older players.

Asked about the win over the Potters, Jackson added: "Stoke put us under pressure in the second half and we had to defend well.

"We had to defend well from corners, free-kicks and the long balls into the box. I thought the lads did it superbly well and it was really pleasing to get the clean sheet as a team.

"It's a good victory and a hard fought one. We're delighted to get the win."

With the win Leeds extended their lead at the top of the Premier League 2 second division to eight points over second-placed Wolves, who United face next week.

"In every game we want to perform to a level," the Whites' boss said.

"If you get good individual and collective performances you're likely to get victories. We're in a good position. It's not the be all and end all for us, I always say that.

"It's about getting the players ready and preparing them. It's nice to be at the top and that they have something to work for. As a group they are fully focused on getting better."