Leeds United are running short of midfield players after Simon Walton's season came to a premature end in bizarre fashion in the 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Ipswich on Saturday.

Former Sherburn High School pupil Walton, who started his career as a central defender, has been playing out of position in midfield this season but he pulled a hamstring just two minutes after leaving the substitutes bench.

The injury will keep Walton out of Leeds' remaining League games, at Leicester on Sunday and at home to Rotherham on Sunday, May 8.

Leeds are already without midfielders Shaun Derry (suspended), Eirik Bakke (injured) and Seth Johnson whose season has been brought to a close to avoid triggering a £250,000 payment to Derby as part of his £7million transfer fee.

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell was full of praise for York-born Matthew Kilgallon and co-central defender Clarke Carlisle after the game.

He said: "I thought those two were absolutely superb. I said at half-time that Ipswich would take a gamble because they needed to win and they've caused defences problems all season, but we matched them in every department.

"I am proud of my players and the attitude they showed. There was a lack of understanding at times but we are a tough side to beat."

Matthew Spring's 12th-minute equaliser was his first competitive goal for the club and came just a minute after Shefki Kuqi had opened the scoring for Town.

Ipswich substitute Darren Currie, nephew of ex-Leeds midfielder Tony Currie, side-footed wide of an open goal in injury time to sigh: "I feel abolutely sick."

Leeds match facts

Coca-Cola League Championship

Leeds United 1, Ipswich 1

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle, Kilgallon, Gray, Richardson (King 89), Gregan, Einarsson (Walton 67, Wright 69), Spring, Moore, Hulse. Subs not used: Lennon, Pugh. Goal: Spring 12.

Ipswich: Price, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Unsworth (Diallo 63), Horlock (Westlake 55), Magilton, Miller, Counago (Currie 71), Kuqi, Bent. Subs not used: Scowcroft, Supple. Caution; Bent. Goal: Kuqi 11.

Referee: Colin Webster (Gateshead).

Attendance: 29,607.

Updated: 10:16 Monday, April 25, 2005