Garry Monk points to unbeaten record against Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United as he looks forward to Elland Road return

The 40-year-old took Leeds to the brink of the play-offs in his solitary year in charge of the west Yorkshire club three years ago and spoke positively about his time there.

But it will be business as usual, he hopes, against a manager he is yet to taste defeat against in three meetings.

Monk did the double over Leeds last season with Birmingham City and said his side had the better of a 0-0 draw with the table-topping Whites at Hillsborough in October.

And while he was complimentary of what the Argentinian has achieved with the Whites, he hinted at a quiet confidence given that record.

“I think they are very similar to what they were last year,” he said.

“I think they would say themselves, they felt they should have done it last year and probably learned from that experience.

“Their aim is to be promoted this year, and they are on the right course. But in the three games I have had against them, we have managed to do quite well result-wise.”

Bielsa is one of the world’s most well-regarded managers, with the likes of Pep Guardiola having listed him as a major influence on his career.

Monk, who has played two strikers in each of his match-ups with the Argentinian to date, said he thrives on the challenge of coming up fellow promotion-chasers and hinted at the pressure Leeds players will be feeling.

“Every match brings different methods of playing,” he said. “I have come up against their manager’s team three times - this will be the fourth.

“Of course, they are a very good side, that’s why they are top of the league.

“I have said it all along, the ambition of that club is clear, they have invested in the last couple of season - in their players and their squad.

“Last year, I said at the start, that was the year for them, now they have had another right go for it. They will expecting [promotion] this year.”