Leeds United: Stuart Dallas ruled out of Wolves clash

Monk has ruled Dallas out of tomorrow’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tuesday’s League Cup tie at home to Norwich City but Leeds are optimistic that the Northern Ireland winger will be passed fit for Burton’s appearance at Elland Road next Saturday.

Dallas was sidelined by a thigh strain suffered on international duty and his absence from the left wing forced Monk to deviate from a settled side for recent meetings with Derby County and Wigan Athletic, fixtures which yielded only one point on the back of a run of five wins in six games.

Monk has also been left to plan without Bridcutt, who suffered a fractured foot in a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers last month.

The midfielder was initially expected to be absent for six to eight weeks - potentially sidelining him until December - but Monk is crossing his fingers that Bridcutt will be on the verge of a recovery when the next international break ends with a game against Championship leaders Newcastle United on November 20.

Player profile: Stuart Dallas

United’s head coach said: “Stuart won’t be involved this weekend and we’re disappointed with that but we’re hoping he could be involved for the Burton game. We’re hopeful about Burton.

“He was playing well for us but this is when you have to use your squad. This is football, with this amount of games.

“In this sort of league you’re going to pick up injuries.

“Liam’s progressing but he’s not going to be ready before the international break.

“We’re hoping it could be pretty soon afterwards though. He’s working in a good way and we hope he’s back sooner rather than later.

“He’s captain of the club, a good player and an experienced player. But we have to take each week as it comes.

“Influence-wise, we miss him for sure. He’s a very good player but you can’t dwell on that. You could say the same about many teams and many players. You always miss good players but the other lads in midfield have been doing very well.”

Hadi Sacko and Pablo Hernandez have recovered from the knocks which saw them substituted in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Wigan and will be available at Molineux.

Right-back Gaetano Berardi, however, has been told to bide his time as he waits for a chance following his return from a hamstring strain.

“He’s competing very well but as it stands, Berra’s missed pretty much the whole season,” Monk said. “There are a lot of players who haven’t and they’re fighting, waiting for chances as well.

“Berra’s there to fight his way back into the squad and the team. He knows that and he has no problem with it.”

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