Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards is hoping that Leeds United can continue giving academy players a chance in the first-team after the 3-2 win over West Ham United.
Marcelo Bielsa handed Leo Hjelde and Lewis Bate their Premier League debuts in the success at the London Stadium, with the duo both coming off the bench after injuries to Adam Forshaw and Junior Firpo.
The pair follow the likes of Sam Greenwood, Joe Gelhardt and Cody Drameh to make their top-flight bows this season and the Argentine has seemingly trusted the Under 23s to step up into the senior squad.
Leeds have struggled with a number of injuries this season and were without Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips, Jamie Shackleton and Liam Cooper for the game against the Hammers, leaving six academy graduates on the bench.
It's a strategy that has been praised by many since the weekend and Richards has admitted that he would love to see more players handed an opportunity at senior level.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "When Leeds were going for the Champions League, they always had really good academies, but now they've had so many injuries they're getting opportunities.
"It was tough the other day as Bate, who came on, he actually played really well but got substituted. He sort of took it to heart but it was a tactical decision just for a little bit more energy.
"Every player that comes through is just doing them proud and long may that continue as it's difficult for young players to sustain it for that long and that amount of time.
"When they've put on that Leeds shirt, they have given it their all and it's great to see. We want to see young players given a chance.
"I always believe from the fans that you get a little bit more time when you come through the academy. They really want you do to do well and it's good to see. Long may it continue."
The victory over the Hammers saw the Whites move nine points clear of the relegation zone, giving them some breathing space between them and 18th-place Norwich City.
It was also just their second away Premier League win of the season and Bielsa's trust in youth, rather than dipping into the transfer market, is seemingly paying off.
Leeds will be hoping to back up a well-earned success on Sunday when they host Newcastle United at Elland Road.
Adam Crafton, from The Athletic, added: "I was talking today with a few people at Leeds and trying to understand how he prepared those young players for Premier League football and a lot of goes back to last summer and before that.
"Victor Orta has recruited quite heavily in the Under 23 age group as well. They've signed players like Joe Gelhardt from Wigan and Leo Hjelde from Celtic.
"Bielsa is involved in the drills they set and the sessions they put on. He gets his first-team staff to do the video sessions with the Under 23s, so they feel part of it.
"He challenges them, so when they get the chance to play for the first-team through injuries or Covid-19, he trusts them."
