Rio Ferdinand has backed Leeds United to stave off the threat of Premier League relegation this season.
The Whites began Wednesday night's clash at Aston Villa sitting six points clear of the drop zone, with strugglers Norwich and Newcastle United looking to gain ground on them following an improved run of form in recent weeks.
Former Leeds defender Ferdinand - who spent two years at Elland Road before securing a record £29m move to Man Utd - thinks Marcelo Bielsa’s side have too much quality to go down.
Speaking ahead of the Whites’ trip to Villa Park, he told BT Sport: “I think Leeds will be too good to go down.
“I think they’ll pick up results here and there. They lack that consistency; that’s why they’re in the position they are.”
Ferdinand believes injuries have also contributed to Leeds - who were hailed as the top flight’s surprise package last season - having an underwhelming campaign so far.
“Injuries have played a huge part in their form this season,” he added.
“Patrick Bamford has been a huge miss. I think they’ve missed their main goal threat, the main goal-getter, the person that would dig them out of a hole in situations where they were struggling to create and all of a sudden he’d pop up.
“They've had Raphinha step up at times, (Jack) Harrison, but no one has been able to fill that void.”
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