Marcelo Bielsa: 'Charlie Cresswell has taken big step forward'

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has praised Charlie Cresswell for taking "a significant step forward" with his performance against Fulham in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old was handed the opportunity to impress against the Championship outfit and helped his side keep a clean sheet at Craven Cottage before the Whites won on penalties.

Cresswell could be in the squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham United due to his team's defensive injuries, and Bielsa has praised the teenager for making most of his chance against Fulham.

"The performance from the other day is not a definitive performance but it has a lot of arguments to say he took advantage of the opportunity he was given, and he deserved it. After the game against Fulham he's taken a significant step forward and I have to read that message," Bielsa told reporters.

Cresswell, who has featured on five occasions for Leeds Under-23s in Premier League 2 this season, made his first-team debut for the Whites against Hull City in September 2020.

The centre-back has a contract at Elland Road until June 2023.