Luke Ayling says Leeds United looking for answers after huge Kalvin Phillips suspension blow

Phillips has made the holding midfield role his own but was shown a straight-red card in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers following a late and reckless tackle on Geoff Cameron in the closing stages of the second half.

The 24-year-old will now face a three-game ban with the midfielder forced to sit out next Tuesday night’s home clash against Millwall plus the following Saturday’s hosting of Wigan Athletic and also the trip to Nottingham Forest the following weekend.

Phillips has since apologised for his actions on social media and Ayling readily admitted that his team-mate had caught Cameron with a “stupid tackle” that warranted a sending off.

Ayling, though, admits a three-game ban for Phillips has dealt United a major blow but also an opportunity for players capable of playing in that position who are not presently involved.

“It’s going to be a huge miss for us,” admitted Ayling, asked about Phillips’ upcoming three-game ban.

“I said afterwards to him, that’s a stupid a tackle and then it’s a red card so he will have to sit out three games now and other players are going to have to step up.

“Maybe some players that have been injured might be able to come back and have some game time and we are going to have to find a different player to play in there.”

Adam Forshaw is United’s other main option in the deep lying midfield role but the 28-year-old has not featured since the 1-0 loss at Charlton Athletic at the end of September due to a hip issue.

Academy graduates Alfie McCalmont and Jamie Shackleton are other options while Brighton loanee centre-back Ben White moved to the holding midfield role during Phillips’ absence for the 2-0 win at Huddersfield Town in December.

Phillips missed that contest through a one-game ban after amassing five yellow cards.

Stuart Dallas, meanwhile, has already been used in multiple positions and could also be deployed in the role in Phillips' absence.