Leeds United will remain in Europe during the World Cup having initially planned a trip to America, reliable journalist Phil Hay has confirmed.

The Lowdown: World Cup fast approaching

The Whites have three more Premier League matches to come before the World Cup gets underway next month, starting with Saturday's trip to Liverpool.

It is a huge period for Jesse Marsch, who knows that he will likely be out of the job after the tournament ends, should performances and results not improve, with next week's match against Bournemouth perhaps the major breaking point.

Leeds were planning to cross The Atlantic during the World Cup and enjoy a training camp in California, friendlies with Mexican teams and a visit to the club’s minority shareholder in San Francisco, but a fresh update suggests that the club have had a change of heart.

The Latest: Leeds to stay in Europe

Taking to Twitter on Friday, The Athletic's Hay confirmed some changes to the training schedule through the international break, including cancelling the trip to San Francisco:

"Few EPL teams are more in need of the World Cup break than Leeds United, to reset and regroup. So changes afoot. Club now planning to stay in Europe during it, rather than heading to the US. Time off for players not involved in the World Cup to be cut."

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The Verdict: Right call?

While a trip to California may have had its benefits, allowing the non-World Cup players some warm-weather training and potentially growing the club's popularity in America, this sounds like a more logical option.

It means less travel for Marsch and his squad, assuming he is still in charge at that point, and possibly a more settled time of things for the players without a long excursion, as they look to work on solving their current issues.

It's also unlikely fans would be too delighted to see their players frolicking around in the California sun given their current predicament.

Either way it is going to be a vital period in Leeds' season, in terms of working on tactics and recharging the batteries, as they look to fend off the threat of relegation.