Leeds United opened up a five-point gap between themselves and third-placed Fulham in the Championship table as they ran out narrow 1-0 winners over Reading at Elland Road on Saturday. 

But there were worrying scenes for the Elland Road faithful when Kalvin Phillips was forced off with a leg injury midway through the first-half of the game against the Royals.

Speaking in an interview with Football Insider, Darren Bent labelled the injury worry for Phillips as a 'big concern' for the Whites as they look to make a long-awaited return to the Premier League this season.

"It’s a big, big concern, it’s a big blow, he’s so influential.

"I know he toes the line sometimes but he’s such an influential player, he covers ground, keeps the ball, senses danger and it’s about keeping him fit, especially with this important push, they need him fit."

Bent went on to admit that the dead leg injury that Phillips picked up is a painful one for any player. The pundit also stated that this type of injury will ease up in the near future, which will be reassuring to hear for Leeds supporters, who will be keen to see Phillips back in action at the earliest of opportunities.

"Dead legs were always the worst, for the first day you’re thinking to yourself: ‘I can’t walk here, I’m never going to be able to play, I’m not going to be ready!’ After day two, if you go on the bike, it does ease up fairly quickly. 

"Obviously when you do first do it, you’re like: ‘That’s it, I’m out for a week, I can’t play with this.’ As you take your anti-inflammatories, get yourself moving, get on the bike, it does ease up. You’ve got to ice it, get it down."

Phillips recently took to Instagram to respond to Ian Wright's question as to how serious the injury was, and the 24-year-old revealed that it was a dead leg problem that forced him off.

Leeds are sat second in the Championship table, and will be hoping that they can build on back-to-back wins in the league when they return to action against Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

It certainly won't be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination, with Boro fighting to retain their Championship status at the wrong end of the table.

If Phillips is to miss the game against the Whites, then Marcelo Bielsa will have to find an adequate replacement to fill the sizeable void left by the midfielder.

Are these Leeds United facts true or false? Test your knowledge in our quiz!

The Verdict: 

I think this would be a real blow to their promotion chances if he was to be ruled out for their next few games.

Phillips has been a key member of the Leeds squad in recent seasons, and he leaves a sizeable void in the starting XI when he isn't available for selection.

It's no coincidence that Leeds' dip in form came at the same time that the midfielder was serving his suspension for a dismissal against QPR earlier this term.

Leeds have now got a five-point gap over the promotion-chasing pack, but that could easily change if they struggle to build on some impressive performances.

If Phillips is to be ruled out of action, then Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping that he can return from injury at the earliest of opportunities to play his part in Leeds' promotion bid.