Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton says that it is 'vital' that boss Marcelo Bielsa has the confidence and trust to play him in his most favoured starting line-up.
Shackleton, who has risen through the United academy at Thorpe Arch, has become something of a key fixture in Bielsa's plans in the past couple of weeks, starting the Whites' last two matches after stepping in for the injured Adam Forshaw.
Though only at the tender age of 19, Bielsa has already installed plenty of confidence in the England Under-20 international, picking him to be a key figure in the Whites' promotion tilt.
Speaking to the media on Thursday about the confidence he has gained from Bielsa's desire to include him in the team, Shackleton said: "It is vital that he feels he can put me in there and things won't be disjointed from what they would be from the original starting XI. I think that is also the case right across the pitch.
"We have players that can come in if people do get injured and are out for a period of time. There are players that can come in and the team won't look disjointed, any less tired and the team is confident and raring to go from all positions."
Though Leeds, who travel to Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon, don't boast one of the biggest squads in the Championship, they have a talented crop of players that would all be worthy of a place in a Championship side one way or another.
But high competition for places is something that Shackleton believes is key, stressing that it is a "healthy environment" to have.
"It just makes it a healthy environment," Shackleton added. "Everyone wants to play and is giving it their all and pushing everyone to be better.
"You know that you have got someone behind you that is there and waiting for their chance, so it is only going to improve everyone as players all the time."
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