Kalvin Phillips's injury could have knock-on effect for Leeds United in central defence

Coach Marcelo Bielsa expressed surprised when he learnt the club had put a six-week diagnosis in Phillips's recovery from a shoulder injury, saying he did not think it was correct to put a figure on it, but the England international will miss the trip to Aston Villa.

Bielsa has decided Struijk will replace him, which will cause problems elsewhere.

When Cooper pulled out of the warm-up to Monday's defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers it was Struijik who slotted in on the left of a back three, and Phillips finished the game there when the Belgian went off injured. The absence of Llorente deprives Leeds of another option there.

Luke Ayling is an option to partner Robin Koch at centre-back, but that will need a reshuffle in the full-back positions – if, that is, Cooper is declared unfit.

“I can't confirm whether Cooper is going to be available or not two days away from the game,” said Bielsa at Wednesday's pre-match press conference.

On holding midfielder Phillips, he said: “I don't have a definitive amount of time that Phillips was going to be out for. I understand the information (of six weeks) is incorrect.

“It's not defined how long he will be out for. It could be more or it could be less.

“The one who will play in his place is Pascal.”

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