Leeds play host to QPR on Saturday afternoon at Elland Road.
Marcelo Bielsa will have to name a makeshift defence on Saturday afternoon as he prepares his Leeds United side to face QPR at Elland Road in the Championship.
Captain Liam Cooper – arguably one of Leeds best players this season – has undergone surgery in Rome to correct a knee injury and is expected to return towards the end of January.
Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas has been filling in at right-back of late with Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi injured, but he has suffered a foot injury and is expected to be sidelined at a similar length to Cooper.
It will enforce at least two changes from Bielsa, with the likeliest of scenarios being that he will start colossal defender Aapo Halme alongside Sweden international Pontus Jansson, and Jamie Shackleton at right-back.
Finland youth international Halme made his debut in an impressive display against Bristol City, before coming off the bench to replace Cooper on Saturday during the 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
Shackleton, 19, has impressed since making his debut for Leeds this season. Naturally a central midfielder, the pocket-sized ace has featured on the right side of defence against Swansea, Blackburn and Bolton.
He is likely to do the same against QPR, with Ayling, Dallas and Berardi out injured, while Lewie Coyle remains on loan with League One side Fleetwood Town.
Gjanni Alioski was hooked at half-time once again by Bielsa against Sheffield United for a second consecutive time, and his replacement Jack Clarke created the winner against the Blades.
Clarke could now come into the starting line-up ahead of Alioski, while Halme and Shackleton are the likeliest to replace Dallas and Cooper. Three changes for Bielsa, as Leeds look to make it four wins on the bounce.
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