Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has claimed youngster Jamie Shackleton should replace Kalvin Phillips in midfield, with the 24-year-old serving a one-match suspension.

Phillips has been phenomenal in holding-midfield for the Whites this season as he has been an ever-present up until now. The 24-year-old has protected the defensive line with excellently and demonstrated a great range of passing since Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival in the summer of 2018.

However, Leeds encountered a problem in their recent fixture as Phillips picked up a yellow card in the 4-0 win over Middlesbrough, which was his fifth of the Championship campaign and earned him an automatic one-game suspension.

The suspension means he misses the Whites’ trip to local rivals Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon and leaves a huge void in midfield that will need to be filled by someone with the quality to cope in such a crucial role.

Whelan believes the nod should be given to the returning Shackleton. Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan had this to say on how he thinks Bielsa should operate against the Terriers: “I would like to see Jamie Shackleton in the Kalvin Phillips role, if he is fit, he would be the perfect replacement for Kalvin.

“He’s missed a lot of this season due to injury and having him back is like a new signing. He’s the answer to Marcelo Bielsa’s prayers.

“He’s got the energy, intelligence, work-rate, mobility, passing range and aggression to play the defensive midfield role. 

“Kalvin is a massive loss, no doubt about that. He’s the best defensive midfielder in the Championship.

“Jamie Shackleton is good enough to replace him. He was fit last week and wasn’t on the bench on Saturday. We’re unsure what’s wrong with him, but it would be brilliant to see him back in the team.”

With Whelan’s comments in mind, we take a look at three reasons why it could work for Bielsa on Saturday…

He has the energy and work-rate needed

Two of the main qualities that Whelan alluded to that give Shackleton a huge boost to his starting prospects under Marcelo Bielsa is the energy and work-rate that he brings to the team.

Shackleton has been eager to prove to Bielsa that he is ready for the first-team and to do that in his side, you must show bags of energy for 90 minutes, something that the England under-20 international has in abundance.

His bursts of energy have been better suited to coming on late into games and breathing life into Leeds to either clinch results or claw them back from losing positions.

Shackleton has tremendous pace both in and out of possession and coupled with his work-rate to win back the ball makes him a very good choice for holding-midfield.

His intelligence and range of passing

One of Phillips' other main strengths that will need to be replaced is his immense reading of the game and his ability to pick out passes.

Shackleton has shown this too and has revealed maturity beyond his years in high-pressure scenarios at Elland Road over the past 18 months.

Despite being just 20-years-old, Shackleton is developing into a player that Leeds can rely on to make consistently correct decisions in the middle of midfield, and this aspect of his game will only improve over time and match experience.

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His aggression

Regardless of his small frame, the academy graduate has shown great aggression to doggedly chase down opponents and retrieve possession for Leeds all over the pitch.

While playing in holding midfield would require more discipline, he has shown his rigidity to stay in his position and be patient for the right time to press an opponent.

Phillips’ suspension has come as a direct result of the aggression he needs to demonstrate in that holding-midfield role so Shackleton will have to do likewise (without a clumsy yellow card) to ensure the right amount of protection is given to the back four. He can absolutely do this, coupled with his pace and intensity, he is very efficient at winning possession from opponents.

It is yet to be seen how Bielsa will deal with the absence of Phillips, but Whelan’s claim could prove a worthy one due to Shackleton’s obvious abilities.