Leeds United: Bridcutt out of Birmingham clash

Bridcutt will miss Leeds United’s clash at St Andrews with the problem which forced him to sit out Saturday’s defeat to Burnley but head coach Steve Evans expects the on-loan Sunderland player to return for this weekend’s meeting with Reading.

Evans said he was treating Bridcutt “with caution”, admitting he could have gambled on the 26-year-old’s condition this evening, but the United boss said the display at Burnley might have forced him to name Bridcutt on the bench regardless.

“He’s almost there but he won’t play at Birmingham,” Evans said. “He should train later in the week and I’d expect to have him for Reading. Birmingham’s just a touch too soon and I’d be taking a risk.

“But our midfield played very well at Burnley. The likes of Toumani (Diagouraga) and Luke Murphy - it would have been harsh on them had they dropped out of the team. That would have been on my mind even if Liam was fit.”

Leeds are without striker Souleymane Doukara and second-choice goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.

Doukara is three games into an eight-match ban for biting while goalkeeper Ross Turnbull has still to fully overcome a broken ankle.

Evans said: “We’ve no other problems. The squad that went to Burnley will be the same squad that goes to Birmingham.”