Defender Tom Lees was able to toast one of the best weeks of his short career on Saturday when Leeds United beat Portsmouth at Elland Road.

The 20-year-old was handed a central defensive role for the first time in a Leeds shirt, and he played a key role as United kept a first clean sheet since April.

"It was really pleasing to get a clean sheet," said Tom, who played all his reserve team football for the club at centre-back.

"Once we scored we knew if we did what we set out to do we would win the game. An early goal gives you a boost, and I think everyone realised how important a clean sheet was.

"We were solid and we didn't give them many opportunities. We still created chances as well. Sometimes this season we might have let a goal in, but we kept that clean sheet and it's important.

"It's a mindset and a real determination now, and we have to keep doing what we did against Portsmouth."

Tom has played at right-back so far this season, but manager Simon Grayson shuffled his defence, by recalling Paul Connolly and moving Tom across to centre-back for the first time.

"I was pleased to play there," said Tom. "It's up to the manager where I play. I'll play anywhere for him. If he thinks I'm strong at full-back I'll play wherever.

"Darren (O'Dea) was good to play alongside and with Paul Connolly on the other side, he really talked. I think we all took responsibility."

The win came at the end of a week that had seen Tom put pen to paper on a new contract that will take him to 2015.

"I can't thank the manager and the club enough," added Tom. "They were prepared to commit to me, and it was a great week."