Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch wants his players to get inspiration from sporting legends like Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali as they bid to avoid relegation.

The Elland Road club are in a three-horse race for the last relegation spot with Burnley and Everton.

They are now in the relegation zone on goal difference after the weekend's league results.

"Inspiration is a big part of this job and when you lead people you have to find ways to have your finger on the pulse of exactly what's happening at any moment," said Marsch in his pre-match press conference.

"I have 52 excerpts from books that I sometimes give players when, individually, I think they need something to motivate them based on where they are in their development path or who they are as people to reach them differently rather than the conversations I have with them.

"I have hundreds of quotes that I use at different moments that I try to think about how they fit with who I am, the way we try to play football and how it might fit in a moment in the season. I love quotes. I love learning from people of the past, sports figures, historical figures, whatever.

"The key is understanding exactly what messages to use at the right time, so players know how to handle moments. Here we are in the stress of relegation trying to stay strong with our belief, confidence, commitment, and mentality. I'm just trying to find ways to motivate, and inspire our collective mentality so that we have the best chance to manage the moments we're in.

"I've used Muhammed Ali a few times with the group, Michael Jordan is a guy I'm inspired by, Phil Jackson. I use things that resonate with me that I think can also fit within the standing of where we are. There are other historical figures like Ghandi, Mother Teresa, and presidents like JFK that have meant something to where we are historically in the world right now."