Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan believes Ben White has answered any question marks after an impressive start to life on loan at Elland Road.

This is centre-half White’s third loan away from the Albion after spells at Newport County and Peterborough United in the past two seasons.

White has featured in every minute of all four of the Whites’ games so far this season, picking up two clean sheets as well as building a good understanding with captain Liam Cooper.

Whelan, who does co-commentary for BBC Radio Leeds, has given The Argus a glowing report.

He said: “He has been exceptional and I have been really impressed.

“There were a lot of question marks when Pontus Jansson left and White came in.

“But all those question marks have very quickly been erased.

“He is very comfortable on the ball, a good competitor, his discipline is very good and his ball distribution from the back is fantastic.

“He seems to be getting into a groove now at Leeds and has formed a really good partnership with Cooper.”

Jansson joined fellow Championship side Brentford in the summer.

However, Whelan reckons White has a different mindset to the departed Jansson.

Whelan revealed: “The difference between Ben and Pontus is that if there is space to drive into Ben will go to a certain point and hand the ball over to the midfielder.

“Pontus used to just go marauding forward leaving a huge space at the back. Ben seems to get to a point, does his job and his second thought is ‘I’ve brought the ball to a midfield player can I drop into my position and do what my job is – defending, keeping clean sheets and dominating centre-forwards’.

“He has been doing that and I have been really impressed with every aspect of his game.

“White has come from a club in Albion that have brought him up the right way, for example, knowing how to play the ball out from the back, being comfortable on the ball and very composed.

“But he is tenacious as well. He likes a tackle and to get involved.”

White faces a tricky path to the Seagulls first team with stiff competition from the likes of Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Dan Burn, summer signing Adam Webster and Leon Balogun all competing for a starting place this season.

Add to this, summer signing Matthew Clarke has also gone out on loan to fellow Championship side Derby County to develop.

But just how much potential does White have?

Whelan said: “He has got a really good future ahead of him. He’s only going to get better at just 21.

“White has got all the attributes you’d want from the modern day football player and a centre-half.

“The future looks bright for White and long may his good performances continue at Leeds. Then I’m sure Brighton will have a fantastic centre-half on their hands.”

The 21-year-old has also received praise from the hard to please Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.

He said: “He is relishing being in the team right now.

“White played well today (last Saturday), but in the first two matches he was better.

“Always his performance level is more than enough.”

High praise from someone who has managed clubs including Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lazio to name but a few and international teams Chile and Argentina.

Bielsa has worked with top defenders such as Javier Mascherano, Javier Zanetti, Stephan Radu and Andoni Iraola, so White – and Albion fans – can take great encouragement from the early progress reports coming back from Yorkshire.