Potential Leeds United blow plus Middlesbrough defender makes honest admission after Barnsley defeat

Phillips was forced off in the 37th minute as Marcelo Bielsa’s side claimed a 1-0 win to move five points clear of third-place Fulham.

When asked about Phillips after the match, Bielsa said: “I think it’s a kick, but I don’t know if this will turn out to be a serious injury or not.”

The midfielder has since eased concerns that the injury could be long term, after responding to a message from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright on Instagram.

Wright posted: “Hope it’s not too serious KP,” to which Phillips replied, “All good Wrighty just a dead calf.”

Shotton makes post-Barnsley admission

Boro defender Ryan Shotton says players may have been looking at the wrong end of the table following their impressive run over Christmas.

The Teessiders won four consecutive games over the festive period and were closer to the play-offs than the relegation zone after a win over Preston on New Year’s Day.

Results have dropped off dramatically since then, though, with Boro now just three points above the bottom three following an eight-game winless run in the league.

Following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Barnsley, Shotton admitted: “It’s just doing what we know, going back to what we know. The Christmas period was great, maybe we were looking the wrong way at the play-offs when we were doing well during that period.

“We still slipped and now we have to go back to the drawing board and do what got us out of that situation. What did we do right? Look at what we did and go back from there.”

Walker on target for Crewe

Boro striker Stephen Walker scored his first goal for new club Crewe after joining the League Two side on loan in January.

The 19-year-old forward doubled the Alex’s lead in the first half to secure a 2-0 win over Macclesfield – a result which moved David Artell’s side up to second in the table.

Walker has now started four games for Crewe since his move to Gresty Road.