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Joe Mewis

Leeds United fans debate 'massive' Kalvin Phillips absence as Marcelo Bielsa confirms side to face Middlesbough

Leeds United fans have reacted to news that Kalvin Phillips will miss tonight's clash at Middlesbrough.

The midfielder picked up a knock against Reading on Saturday and will sit out the Riverside clash, although Kiko Casilla is fit to start after he shrugged off a knock of his own.

Phillips will be replaced by Gaetano Berardi in the only change to the XI, with the Swiss set to move into the middle of defence, with Ben White moving forwards to fill the midfield gap left by Phillips.

That means Luke Ayling should remain at right-back, Berardi will partner Liam Cooper in the centre of defence and Stuart Dallas will again play at left-back.

Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez will operate centrally, with Jack Harrison and Helder Costa again providing the width.

Former Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford, who scored a hat-trick for Boro in this fixture two years ago, again leads the line for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

There is one change on the bench as Jean-Kevin Augustin drops out of the matchday squad owing to a muscular injury and is replaced by Jordan Stevens.

Leeds United: Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Berardi, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Hernandez, Bamford

Subs: Meslier, Casey, Alioski, Douglas, Shackleton, Stevens, Roberts

Here's what fans made of tonight's team news on social media...

Leeds will remain second in the table whatever happens tonight, but a win would see them extend the gap to the chasing pack to at least five points.

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