The defender was a surprise omission from Wednesday night's reserve-team fixture at Huddersfield after a swollen knee prevented his selection.

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Parker had hoped that an appearance at the Galpharm Stadium would mark the end of a long fight against injury which began after his only first-team outing of the season seven months ago.

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A hamstring strain suffered on the first weekend of the League One term led to a hip operation in October, and his appearance with the reserves against Scunthorpe in January was followed by another spell on the sidelines.

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Leeds do not have a second-string fixture scheduled until Lincoln City's visit to Elland Road on March 17, but United may attempt to involve him in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Grayson said: "Ben took a knock around his knee last week and it swelled up over the weekend. He wasn't fit enough to play on Wednesday but it should settle down pretty sharpish.

"It's been one of those seasons for him. We had a reserve game lined up for him and then he gets injured, but it's not a long-term thing."
Leeds used trialist goalkeeper Mathias Esterhazy in Wednesday's reserve fixture but have allowed the Hungarian to move on.

Meanwhile, academy defender Andrew Milne has joined Steve Staunton's Darlington on loan until the end of the season, his second spell with the League Two club.

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