Jamaican international Rodolph Austin has come in for some high commendation from former Leeds United legend Brendan Ormsby, who believes the midfielder can provide the added steel the Championship Division team needs to succeed.

"Over the last few years, I've said we've needed someone to 'dig in' and put his foot in to upset the opposition; a Robbie Savage type if you like. And Austin looks like he can provide that," Ormsby told UK publication Yorkshire Evening Post (yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk).

physical presence

"Don't get me wrong, we all like good football players who can stroke the ball about. But Austin provides us with balance and physical presence and is a strong lad who holds himself well in the middle and isn't scared of a challenge. He looks the part."

Austin joined the English club from Norwegian top division team SK Brann at the start of the season and has already become a crowd favourite at the club's Elland Road.

But, it hasn't been just hard-nosed no-nonsense tackles from the Jamaican midfielder, he has also got on the scoresheet a few times already, with two goals in five games for the club. In fact, it was Austin that netted the winner in a famous 2-1 win for the club over Premier League campaigners Everton, on Tuesday, which saw his team advance to the fourth round of the Capitol One League Cup. The result was one his manager Neil Warnock described as his best ever.

Austin - Digicel photo

"I know he's only been playing in Norwegian football, but he looks more than capable of being a success in England, given what I saw of him for the first time. He looks an asset in that position and I think he can have a good season," Ormsby said.

Austin has also been in good form for Jamaica's Reggae Boyz, most notably finding the back of the net in a historic 2-1 win for the national team against the USA.