Dallas in revealing insight into Leeds new boys; states Augustin nickname

Stuart Dallas admits it’s “nice to welcome new faces” after giving his first impressions of Leeds’ two latest signings in Ian Poveda and Jean-Kevin Augustin.

United on Monday confirmed the signing of the highly-rated France U21 international Augustin on a loan deal until the end of the season, with Marcelo Bielsa giving his take on the new addition in his press conference on Monday.

He is joined Elland Road by Ian Poveda, who joined the Whites on a free transfer from Manchester City on Friday; the teenage winger coming in as a replacement for Jack Clarke.

And Dallas admitted he has been impressed by Poveda from what he has seen of the young winger so far.

“He’s fast, direct,” Dallas said. “I’ve vever seen a player take to a group so quick. He’s really lively, taken really well to the lads. It’s nice to welcome new faces.”

Dallas contunued: “We did the murderball [intense Bielsa training sessions] on Thursday or Friday and I was up against him. I found out then how quick he was. He’s very skillful, with two good feet.”

Dallas admits he is yet to get a sight of new boy Augustin in training, given his arrival was only confirmed on Monday morning, but he admits he is looking forward to seeing what he’s capable of.

“Not yet, we were out training when he arrived. I’ve not seen him with the boots on yet.”

He added: “The manager has brought him in which speaks volumes to how important he is. We’ve got a good group. We all know what it’s like.”

Commenting on the arrival of the Frenchman, Dallas added: “I’ve decided to call him ‘Big Kev’. We need to make him feel at home. Both new players wanted to come in.”

Bielsa, meanwhile, was asked if Augustin was his No 1 target and also confirmed the striker would not be involved in the game against Millwall, saying: “I don’t think he’s going to be involved tomorrow. He arrived today.

“For the other question, we didn’t have an order in priorities. We verified all the of the options Victor [Orta] gave us. All of them were good. And finally it was the option of Augustin we could do.”

Asked about the qualities he brings to Leeds, Bielsa commented: “He’s a centre forward with movement, mobility. He’s involved in the combined play from the team. And he has a lot of presence in the box and he’s going to be useful for the needs we have.”