This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa faces a nervous month, with star midfielder Kalvin Phillips one booking away from an automatic one match suspension if he picks up a card before the cut off point of December 7th.

Phillips has been in excellent form again for the Whites this season, having had a breakthrough campaign under Bielsa in 2018-19, leading the 23-year-old to be sought after by Premier League giants Manchester United.

So how big a blow would it be to Leeds if Phillips was to pick up a one-match ban?

We discuss.........

Kris Smith

“It makes a very big impact on Leeds for that game, as they will be without the most important player to the system they operate in.

“Last season there were multiple occasions where Leeds suffered massively because of either Phillips’ influence being snuffed out or that he was unavailable.

“What Leeds would be missing is a holding-midfielder that demonstrates both aspects of the game, with strong defensive play and an excellent range of passing going forward.

“The positive is that this ban only lasts one game and then he is available again immediately, however, the long-term issue Leeds face is whether it becomes a habit meaning he could get a two or three-game ban later on in the season when Leeds need him most.”

Dean Cooke

"He's the glue that holds Leeds together, and is so pivotal to the way that they play and the way that they go about their business on the football pitch.

"When he's playing he looks like he's a class above and has all the experience in the world so it's easy to forget he's still relatively young in football terms.

"It would have an impact, but it's not too long of a ban so perhaps he could tactically structure when to take the yellow, if Leeds have what they see as a winnable game coming up.

"It's better to get it out of the way, rather than him worry about potentially not going in for challenges that he would usually do. I doubt it would be too much of an impact in the short-term, and of course can give somebody else a much needed opportunity."

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George Harbey

"It would be a big blow to lose Phillips for even one game, especially if Adam Forshaw is still injured.

"You will struggle to find a player who dictates the tempo of the game and offers so much protection to the back four like Phillips does.

"I thought that his handling of Bradley Dack at the weekend was so impressive - Dack is one of the most dangerous players in the league on his day, but he was nowhere to be seen at the weekend.

"Leeds don't really have another player like Phillips, so missing him for even one game would be massive. They need to keep picking up wins and his absence could have a major effect."