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After Sunday, are Phillips and O’Kane most at risk if January target arrives at Leeds?

Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Leeds United at Cardiff City Stadium on S...
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Leeds United are being tipped to add to their central midfield options.

Yosuke Ideguchi (C) of Japan celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Japan and Australia at Saitama Stadium on August 31, 2017 in...

Reports last month claimed Leeds United were closing in on the signing of Yosuke Ideguchi from Gamba Osaka.

Leeds’ head of recruitment Victor Orta had previously revealed the club were ‘near to signing a big surprise from Asia’ in time for the January transfer window, with Ideguchi thought to be the mystery man.

Whether the deal goes ahead remains to be seen, but if Sunday’s showing against Sheffield Wednesday is anything to go by, Leeds will certainly want to address their options in central midfield.

Neither Kalvin Phillips nor Eunan O’Kane, both of whom had started the campaign much improved, covered themselves in glory at Hillsborough and the pair may be looking over their shoulders in case the Whites seek to strengthen in their position.

Cardiff player Kenneth Zohore (l) and Sol Bamba (r) combine to thwart Kalvin Phillips of Leeds during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Leeds United at Cardiff City...

Whether it’s Ideguchi – a diminutive and tenacious, yet technical midfielder – or someone else – doubts remain over whether or not the 21-year-old would be immediately granted a work permit – they, as players not signed by Leeds head coach Thomas Christiansen, are arguably most at risk of making way, especially if the Dane opts to mix things up in the coming weeks post Sheffield Wednesday.

Do Leeds still need to strengthen in central midfield? If so, should it be Phillips or O’Kane who loses their place?