EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Under-fire Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen is set to be sacked within the next 24 hours, Football Insider sources understand.

Pressure has been building on Christiansen following a disastrous run of form since the turn of the year which has seen Leeds yet to win in 2018 with their last victory coming on Boxing Day against struggling Burton Albion.

A well-placed source close to the club has told Football Insider that Leeds officials are now drawing up a list of possible replacements for Christansen and are ready to part company with the Denmark-born Spaniard by Monday night.

Saturday’s humbling 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City at Elland Road leaves Leeds seven points outside the play-off spots and the club are now ready to act and bring in a new manager to transform their fortunes.

Leeds have lost four and drawn two of their last six Championship games, while they crashed out of the FA Cup at the third round following a shock defeat at League Two Newport County.

Christiansen was brought in at the start of the season to replace Garry Monk and was tasked with guiding the club into the play-offs at a minimum, but the team are in danger of seeing their campaign slip away from them.

Leeds face a tricky run of games in the next few weeks against Sheffield United, Bristol City and Derby County and it appears unlikely that Christiansen will still be in charge for those games.

In other Leeds United news, it can be revealed that a centre-forward who has played for the team this season has had his contract terminated.