Here is your Leeds United morning digest on Sunday, January 31.
Merson's Raphinha claim
Paul Merson believes Leeds' Premier League rivals will be 'scratching their heads' after Raphinha's £17million move to Elland Road in the summer.
The Whites brought the Brazilian winger to Yorkshire from French club Rennes for a fee that is now proving to be a bargain considering how quickly he's adapted to English football.
The 24-year-old has scored three goals and provided three assists in the Premier League so far, including the opening goal in Leeds' 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Tuesday evening.
Merson, when speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, cannot understand why Raphinha was allowed to move to Elland Road with seemingly no competition for his signature.
He said: “He is a very good player. To be fair, he’s come in and he’s done well, and straight away he’s hit the ground running.
“He looks a good footballer. He’s full of energy, he’s got a [good] work ethic as well where he works for the team, he just does everything right.
“I’m a big fan of his and the recruitment there to find that player, because for £17 million, there will be people now scratching their head going ‘why didn’t we get him?’”
Dallas on 'learning curve'
Stuart Dallas knows the areas that Leeds need to improve, as he acknowledges his side's 'steep learning curve' this season.
The Whites' longest winning run so far since returning to the Premier League is just two games and Dallas has accepted that his side need to find some sort of consistency if they are to progress in the top-flight.
Speaking to LUTV, the Northern Irishman said: "We haven't really been as consistent as we would've liked.
"I think that we've played well the majority of the season, and it's been a steep learning curve as well."
Read the full story here.
Possible Berardi return date
Leeds supporters appear to have spotted that Gaetano Berardi is back in training following a lengthy period out through injury.
Berardi tore his ACL in his knee in July of last year against Derby County in the Championship and is yet to feature for the Whites this season.
It seems as if the 32-year-old is nearing recovery, however, with some supporters appearing to spot the defender walking in the background of a shot at Thorp Arch.
This would be welcome news for Marcelo Bielsa, with Diego Llorente picking up yet another injury in his side's win over Newcastle in the week.
Llorente limped off after eight minutes of his first start for the club since signing in the summer.
His defensive partner Robin Koch is also sidelined, having had knee surgery in December after picking up an injury at the start of the month against Chelsea.
