Nationals MP Ken O'Dowd says the crisis surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's leadership must be resolved in the next 48 hours and a delegation of MPs should visit Mr Joyce to discuss his future.

But two of his colleagues have rallied around Mr Joyce, saying he has the support of the party room and will remain leader.

Mr O'Dowd said he hoped the saga stemming from the Nationals leader's affair would soon end.

Nationals MP Ken O'Dowd says the questions about Barnaby Joyce's leadership must be resolved. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"In the next couple of days, I'd like it settled," he told reporters outside Parliament House on Wednesday morning.