Gaetano Berardi starts with Kiko Casilla on the bench for Leeds United's hosting of Barnsley

Midfielder Phillips is facing up to five weeks out after suffering a knee injury during Sunday's last-gasp 1-0 victory at Swansea City that further strengthened United's automatic promotion push.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa had already confirmed that Brighton loanee Ben White would likely move up from his normal position of centre-back to take the place of Phillips in the holding midfield role.

That has left a gap in defence and Berardi comes into the side for his 12th Championship start of the campaign with Leeds otherwise unchanged.

Illan Meslier also keeps his place in goal despite fellow goalkeeper Kiko Casilla being back available after serving an eight-game having been found guilty of racially abusing striker Jonathan Leko in September's 1-0 loss at Charlton Athletic.

Casilla returns to the bench in place of Kamil Miazek while there are two other changes on the bench with Oliver Casey replacing Berardi and Jordan Stevens this time preferred to Mateusz Bogusz.

Midfielder Adam Forshaw remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from hip surgery.

United approach tonight's contest knowing that a maximum of four points from their final three fixtures would guarantee automatic promotion, even if second-placed West Brom and third-placed Brentford win their remaining games.

Tonight's visitors Barnsley are bottom of the division and four points from safety with former Whites youngster Alex Mowatt lining up against his former side in his 100th league appearance for the Reds.

Tykes boss Gerhard Struber has made two changes to his side with another former Leeds player in Aapo Halme coming into the side along with Conor Chaplin.

Leeds United: Meslier, Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Dallas, White, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Roberts, Bamford. Subs: Casilla, Casey, Douglas, Struijk, Stevens, Shackleton, Alioski, Poveda, Hernandez.

Barnsley: Walton, J Williams, Andersen, Brown, Woodrow, Chaplin, Ludewig, Sollbauer, Styles, Halme, Mowatt. Subs: Collins, B Williams, Bähre, Thomas, Ritzmaier, Schmidt, Oduor, Wolfe, Marsh.

Referee: Jarred Gillett.

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Thank you Laura Collins