PHIL Parkinson was last night left counting the cost of a full-blooded Championship defeat to Leeds United.

Josh Vela was taken to hospital after suffered a blow to his shin, while David Wheater was also forced off the pitch with a back injury.

Leeds also lost two players - Gaetano Beradi and Matthew Pennington.

Wanderers had already confirmed Sammy Ameobi is out until September after undergoing knee surgery and Darren Pratley also missed Sunday evening’s game through illness.

“It was an extremely competitive game,” said the Whites boss after the final whistle. “No quarter was given but unfortunately we’ve paid the price a bit.

“Wheats had been struggling with his back and missed most of the week’s training but decided to play him.

“Josh got a whack, a quite serious one, on his ankle and he’s gone to hospital.

“It’s a massive blow for us, particularly with Josh because he covered every blade of grass for us.

“Darren had a virus for the majority of the week so to put him on the bench he had to convince us he could have come on early in the game as well as towards the back end, but he didn’t quite manage it.”

The extent of Vela's injury will be unclear until this morning, when he is due to have a scan.

The midfielder left the field with only a few minutes on the clock, with Wanderers having fought their way back into the contest after trailing 3-1 at the break.

Kalvin Phillips and Chris Wood put Leeds two-up before Gary Madine grabbed one back. Phillips then scored a second but Adam Le Fondre’s second-half penalty meant the visitors were never completely comfortable at 3-2.

“I felt like the occasion might just have got to us a little bit,” Parkinson said. “Inn the first half we were a bit sloppy, on the back foot a little bit.

“But we showed character in the second half and got another goal back. I think there are positives to take from the performance even though we’re disappointed to start off with a defeat.

On the plus side for Wanderers, Parkinson confirmed he has now sorted a new contract at Wanderers and was ready to sign.

“It is all agreed now so hopefully we will get that sorted Monday,” he added.