I managed Leeds United in the Premier League and would love to see them to get back there

David O’Leary remains upbeat over Leeds United's promotion prospects, despite their defeat away to Blackburn Rovers. The Whites slipped to third in the Championship after losing 1-0 at Ewood Park last weekend.

If United had triumphed in Lancashire, they would have reclaimed top spot. But their Blackburn slip up paved the way for Burnley to move into the automatic promotion places at their expense following the Clarets' 2-0 win at Stoke City.

Speaking on talkSPORT, ex-Whites boss O’Leary said: “[Leeds] will have gone to Blackburn thinking it was a tough game; they’re all tough games in that division. You get weeks of people beating each other but at the end of the day, I think Leeds will be there [at the top of the Championship table] and it’ll be great for the Premiership if they can come up because they have an absolutely brilliant fanbase but we all know what a tough division it is to get out of.”

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The Rovers fixture was United's third game in six days. United manager Daniel Farke admitted the schedule, including the early kick-off, did not help his side even if it did not cost them. “I don’t like early kick-offs, and especially I don’t like early kick-offs when you have such a quick turn around," said Farke. "But I don’t complain about this because we are also used to it.

“If you have such a crazy schedule, it’s difficult, but nevertheless, again, I think we could have started better, and I don’t want to use this as an excuse. But if you ask me, personally, I don’t like them at all.”

The Whites return to action on Saturday when they welcome mid-table Derby County to Elland Road on Saturday.