By Mark Smith

20th Jan, 2020 | 1:30pm

Bielsa reveals 28y/o not able to replace Phillips, journo shares three possible Leeds switches

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has given Marcelo Bielsa a real headache after his red card against Queens Park Rangers.

The 24-year-old will miss games against Millwall, Wigan, and Nottingham Forest, and Bielsa has already confirmed that 28-year-old Adam Forshaw is not able to replace him because of his problematic hip injury.

The list of possible replacements is shrinking at Elland Road, and it is anyone’s guess as to who will fill the considerable gap left by Phillips.

Leeds Live journalist George Smith has shared that the three likely players wrestling to replace Phillips are Ben White, Stuart Dallas, and Jamie Shackleton.

The only out-and-out central midfielder is Shackleton in that list, but there are question marks surrounding his physicality to sit in the heart of the side.

White and Dallas have both proved they are better in defence as well. The Brighton loanee played in midfield against Huddersfield earlier in the season and was moved back into defence at half-time because of his struggles.

Dallas has only just moved back to left-back, and Leeds could get torn apart if the Northern Irish international is pushed further forward once again.

A real option to come in would be Alfie McCalmont. We have watched the under-23s frequently this season and have been very impressed with their captain.

He is one of the only available out-and-out holding midfielders at the club, and his appearance in the first-team squad for the first time since August against QPR proves he could be in contention.

McCalmont did feature against Stoke earlier in the season in the Carabao Cup, and Bielsa has proven previously he isn’t afraid to give a youngster a chance.

In other Leeds United news, Journalist shares why Leeds could be ‘holding fire’ in January transfer window