Leeds United: Phillips gets two-match ban from FA after picking up third red card of the season
Phillips was sent off for a second bookable offence in the last minute of normal time at Craven Cottage, his third dismissal of the season and his second in Championship fixtures.
The 21-year-old saw red in a recent Under-23s fixture but did not receive a first-team ban for that offence. However, his sending off in a 2-0 defeat at Brighton in December has seen the Football Assocation’s mandatory one-match ban for two yellow cards increased to a two-game suspension.
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Hide AdPhillips was making his first league start in two months at Craven Cottage – his reward for an influential performance as a substitute in last week’s 3-1 win over Birmingham City – but earned a red card from referee Lee Probert for a foul on Fulham’s Scott Parker.
He had earlier been cautioned for a 50th-minute challenge on Kevin McDonald.
Phillips will now drop out of Garry Monk’s squad for the visit of QPR to Elland Road on Saturday but Monk believed Probert had taken a harsh view of the midfielder’s tackle on Parker, saying: “From my view it didn’t look like a foul. But both teams had to suffer things for and against them. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
Monk expects his options to be strengthend on Saturday by the return of striker Chris Wood from a calf strain, and right-back Luke Ayling is back in contention after missing Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Fulham to be present at the birth of his first child.
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Hide AdMonk said: “The last couple of days were a bit traumatic for Luke but we’re very happy for him. In those situations the right thing to do is to let him be with his missus and his family. He’ll be available for the weekend I’m sure.”
Ayling’s absence allowed left-back Charlie Taylor to make his first appearance since damaging an Achilles tendon before Christmas.
Taylor saw out 90 minutes at Craven Cottage and Monk said: “Charlie did well, considering he’s been out for quite a while.
“It’s all right training but matches are something different. He’s naturally fit.”