Marcelo Bielsa insists it's too early to label Leeds promotion contenders

The Whites will bid to extend their one-point lead at the top of the table on Tuesday night

Marcelo Bielsa has talked down Leeds' chances (REUTERS)

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is not yet sure whether his side is good enough to sustain a Championship promotion challenge.

The Whites will bid to extend their one-point lead at the top of the table on Tuesday night at home against Preston but Bielsa, publicly at least, says it is too early to assess their credentials.

"I see that we are getting stronger in each game," the Argentinian said. "It's not convenient to talk about the final position when we have just played seven games.

"Any conclusion that you take right now would not be a solid one because football is a game where you have many surprises."

Jack Harrison's late equaliser at Millwall on Saturday extended Leeds' unbeaten start, but they will be without several key players again for Preston's visit.

Strikers Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford, playmaker Pablo Hernandez, defender Gaetano Berardi and midfielder Jamie Shackleton all remain sidelined.

"The injuries and the absences of some players are part of the difficulties you face in this competition," Bielsa added.

"The difficulties we are facing right now, the other teams also have the same ones, maybe in a different period, before us or after us, but they will face them."

Brentford emerged as Leeds' closest challengers at the weekend after beating Wigan and will aim to keep pace by registering their first league victory on the road this season at Ipswich.

Marcelo Bielsa watches on from his blue stool (Action Images)

Third-placed Bristol City, chasing a fifth successive Championship win, travel to West Brom.

Derby boss Frank Lampard is also expecting a response from his side in their home game against Blackburn following Saturday's defeat at Rotherham.

The Millers, buoyed by their third league win of the season, will aim to extend Aston Villa's winless run in the Championship to six matches when they visit Villa Park.

Stoke will be looking for just their second league win since relegation in May as they face Swansea and Wigan hope for a reaction after their setback at Brentford with a home win against Hull.

PA