Radhi Jaidi has backed former boss Sam Allardyce to make an impact at Leeds as they bid to beat the drop.

Big Sam will take charge at Elland Road for the final four games of the Premier League campaign, succeeding Javi Gracia in the hot seat.

Jaidi played under Allardyce in the top flight for a couple of seasons at Wanderers and only has positive things to say about the experience.

He reckons the 68-year-old could be just what Leeds need to “bring everyone together” after a difficult campaign.

Jaidi told BBC World Service: "I'm very interested to see how he's going to deal with the challenge, because it's a big challenge with four games to go, but I think he can be a good man for this.

"Whoever knows Sam knows he's a strong character. Independent of his wide experience as a manager, he's someone who can implement his ideas as quickly as possible and as clearly as possible. This is the main thing in this kind of challenge."

He added: "Big Sam is back on the scene, which is a great. I always enjoyed working with him. We all know that he took previous jobs with hard challenges and he succeeded in those jobs.

“Any team in Leeds' position needs clarity and they need a strong character, someone who is a leader and a high level manager.

"But also someone who can bring everyone together - the various stakeholders, the players in the changing room first of all, the ownership, fans and media. And he's the man who can do that."

Leeds have conceded 18 goals in their last five games, and Jaidi believes they will benefit from going “back to basics” during the final run-in.

"The most important thing for him is clean sheets," he continued. "There is no magic in football.

“Leeds in the last five games conceded 18 goals, which is a lot, and this is something that definitely you need to adjust and rectify.

"In the last 15 games there's been an ambiguity in the way Leeds have been playing. Going back to basics with Sam, something he will look for is reducing the goals that are conceded, and then go for it.

"It's not going to be an easy task but I think he will be happy to challenge the players and engage them to go on and make it to safety."