Ben Parker believes Leeds midfield should remain intact against Wolves

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Thomas Christiansen will have plenty of selection headaches ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Wolves.

Former Leeds United defender Ben Parker has told the club’s official website that he believes Thomas Christiansen must stick with the same midfield pairing against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sunday afternoon’s excellent 2-1 win over Middlesbrough was the first time this season that academy products Kalvin Phillips and Ronaldo Vieira have partnered eachother in midfield.

It saw Ireland international Eunan O’Kane drop to the substitutes bench despite being a mainstay of the side under Christiansen, used only as a late substitute to run the clock down.

Speaking after Sunday’s win to LUTV, Parker urged Christiansen to remain with Phillips and Vieira despite the presence of O’Kane as well as Poland international Mateusz Klich waiting in the wings.

Parker’s vote for the man of the match even went to 21-year-old Phillips, despite Sky Sports giving the award to Pablo Hernandez for his goal and assist against Middlesbrough.

“I think Sky gave the man of the match to Hernandez, whereas I would have given it to Phillips,” Parker said. “People who have watched the game today won’t really seen what he has done, but being here, he just did the simple things well.

“In terms of the midfield battle, Phillips and Vieira certainly came out on top. For me, I’d go in [to play Wolves] exactly the same. They’ve earned the shirt, they’ve played well and beat a very good Middlesbrough side. They deserve their place.”

Vieira, 19, has been forced to watch from the substitutes bench for much of the season, as Christiansen had preferred O’Kane alongside Phillips. But Vieira was given a chance against Bristol City in October and has retained his place since.

Leeds will be desperate to build on their win against Garry Monk’s Boro, but will face what is arguably their toughest test of the season so far in an away trip to Wolves. Three points would see Leeds go from ninth place into sixth.