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Thu 29 September 2016 14:39, UK

By Will Butcher

Leeds boss Garry Monk is set to be forced into a defensive reshuffle for Saturday’s league clash against Barnsley at Elland Road after an injury to loan star Pontus Jansson.

The Sweden international is likely to be replaced by 25-year-old defender Liam Cooper after limping off against Bristol City on Tuesday with a knock.

Monk is “hopeful” that the 6ft 5in colossus will return against Leeds’ Yorkshire rivals, but may have to make do with former Chesterfield defender Cooper at centre-back.

Monk is also without captain Liam Bridcutt, after revealing that the 27-year-old was out for eight weeks with a fractured metatarsal. 

He is set to be replaced by in-form midfielder Kalvin Phillips, after the 21-year-old excelled against Bristol City and Ipswich.

Ronaldo Vieira is also ready to return to the side but is set to watch from the bench as Monk is likely to give Phillips a deserved chance.

Elsewhere, Gaetano Berardi’s return to fitness is almost complete after featuring for Leeds under-23 side.

However, he is unlikely to be thrown in at the deep end, despite current first-choice right-back Luke Ayling being at fault for Bristol City’s winner on Tuesday night.

A win for Leeds could see them move into the top half of the table, but a loss could just as easily see Monk’s side slip towards the Championship relegation zone.

In other Leeds news, Monk has responded to allegations made against owner Massimo Cellino.