LEEDS UNITED are facing a defensive crisis ahead of Friday night’s game at Newcastle after Pascal Struijk lost his appeal against his red card in last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool.

The centre-half was dismissed after a VAR review for a challenge on Harvey Elliott that resulted in the Liverpool youngster being stretchered off after sustaining serious ankle damage.

Struijk’s challenge left Elliott with a fracture dislocation of his left ankle, with the 18-year-old having undergone surgery on Tuesday.

Leeds appealed against Struijk’s straight red card, but an FA disciplinary commission upheld Craig Pawson’s decision to send off the defender.

Following the news that Struijk’s suspension would stand, Elliott apologised to the Leeds man and said he thought “it’s wrong”. Replying to an Instagram post about the news, Elliott said: “Sorry about this Pascal. I think it’s wrong. But it’ll soon blow over brother and you’ll be back in no time smashing it again. Keep positive.”

Struijk’s absence from Friday’s game at St James’ Park is a major headache for Leeds boss Marcel Bielsa, as the Belgian-born defender was only on the field because he had replaced the injured Diego Llorente in the first half.

Llorente, whose time at Elland Road has been plagued by a series of injury issues, suffered muscular damage, and is not expected to be fit to line up against Newcastle.

With Struijk now also unavailable, Bielsa will be desperately hoping Robin Koch recovers from the injury problem that prevented him from appearing against Liverpool.

If Koch cannot play on Friday, Liam Cooper will be Leeds’ only available centre-half as they look to claim their first league win of the season on Tyneside.

Newcastle also have injury problems to contend with as they look to get their own season up and running, with star striker Callum Wilson still sidelined with the thigh injury that prevented him from appearing in the 4-1 defeat at Manchester United last weekend.

Joe Willock, Ciaran Clark and Javier Manquillo all suffered knocks at Old Trafford, although at this stage, it is understood that all three still have a chance of making it on Friday night.