Marcelo Bielsa says Barry Douglas remains an "integral" part of his Leeds United squad.
The Scottish full-back has not been named in the 18-man squad for either of the Whites ' two Premier League games this season.
He was given a run-out in the recent EFL Cup meeting with Hull City but then failed to make the squad for last weekend's 4-3 win over Fulham.
Recent reports have linked the 31-year-old with a switch north of the border to Scottish giants Celtic.
But when quizzed on Douglas' future, Bielsa said: "I give you the same answer as I gave you with (Robbie) Gotts, but added to the fact he has played many times for the first team.
"If he continues with us he will be a very useful player for our project.
"He’s an impeccable professional. His preparation has been very, very good.
"He is an integral part of the group here. Just because he hasn’t been part of the 18 in the first two games it doesn’t mean that he won’t be useful across the whole season."
Douglas made 17 appearances last season for Leeds but only played the full 90 minutes on three occasions in 2020 - against Arsenal in the FA Cup and then against Blackburn and Derby in the league.
Stuart Dallas is firmly first choice in the left-back position and is expected to keep his place for Sunday's Yorkshire derby at Sheffield United.
