Leeds take on Stoke tonight in pursuit of regaining their lead at the top of Championship.

Before West Brom won in midweek, the Whites had a one-point advantage at the top of the second division.

Marcelo Bielsa has worked wonders with this team and they could finally be on the verge of reaching the promised land of the Premier League. Although, it's important he doesn't count all of his chickens before they've hatched - few will need reminding what happened last term.

Leeds let promotion slip through the grasp in dramatic fashion but surely this time, there won't be any slip-ups.

If they beat the Potters on Thursday, they will be six points clear of the play-offs. 

A place in the Premier League will bring greater riches to Elland Road and will finally enable them to relinquish the tight grasp the EFL have over them financially. 

The Whites have already wrapped up one deal this summer, concluding the permanent transfer of Helder Costa. However, another loanee could soon arrive permanently too.

Costa

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are on the verge of adding Jack Harrison and Illan Meslier to their squads on a permanent basis. 

Director of Football, Victor Orta, managed to negotiate a clause in the goalkeeper's loan deal last summer allowing the Yorkshire side to sign Meslier permanently.

That was only an option to buy, but it looks as though they're going to utilise it.

The report states that the Frenchman will arrive for a fee of £4.75m, having done enough to convince the club to buy him after he became first-choice over Kiko Casilla.

TEAMtalk claim Meslier will be rewarded for his fine form by becoming a permanent part of the furniture.

Meslier

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

Meslier had to wait until January to finally get a chance in Leeds colours.

The French stopper had been excellent for the U23s, saving a few penalties, but often Bielsa is loyal to those in his squad.

Kiko Casilla, for his faults, managed to stay in the team until the FA Cup came around.

His back-up conceded against Arsenal but his distribution with the ball at his feet was impressive. He was also extremely commanding for such a young player.

Meslier

The 20-year-old didn't play in the league until late February but that was because of Casilla's racism charge.

He has two games remaining of his ban but it remains to be seen whether he'll ever play again for Leeds. After all, Meslier has coped with expectations well, keeping four clean sheets in his six Championship outings.

At just £4.75m, Orta would have himself a bargain. Credit has to go to the Spaniard for his work last summer.