SPAIN boss Luis Enrique has hailed the recent progress of Leeds United's newly acquired centre-back Diego Llorente for even helping experienced 'benchmark' captain Sergio Ramos to improve.

United's £18m summer recruit Llorente has been forced to leave the Spain squad early due to a muscular injury which has ruled the centre-back out of Tuesday night's Nations League clash against the Ukraine in Kiev.

Llorente bagged his sixth cap for Spain in last Wednesday's international friendly against Portugal in Lisbon in which the 27-year-old lined up alongside Manchester City's 19-year-old defender Eric Garcia at centre-back and dealt with first Cristiano Ronaldo and then Diogo Jota to help keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw.

Llorente then found himself back on the bench for Saturday evening's Nations League clash at home to Switzerland as 34-year-old Real Madrid captain Ramos partnered 23-year-old Villareal player Pau Torres at the heart of the Spain defence in a 1-0 triumph.

PRAISE: For Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente, left, pictured in combat with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in last Wednesday's friendly in Lisbon. Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images.

placeholder image — PRAISE: For Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente, left, pictured in combat with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in last Wednesday's friendly in Lisbon. Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images.

But speaking ahead of Tuesday night's clash in Kiev, Spain boss Enrique highlighted the importance of Llorente and praised not just his own game but his influence on others.

"Both Pau, Eric García and Diego Llorente have done very well, at a very high level, contributing and trying to improve," said Enrique

"Sergio Ramos is a benchmark, the team mates feel they can play with him, help him and correct him."

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Thank you Laura Collins