Fulham’s promotion prospects dealt further blow as Aleksandar Mitrovic hit with three-game ban

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been hit with a three-match suspension after being punished for violent conduct in Fulham’s 3-0 loss at Leeds United on Saturday.

The Serbian centre-forward escaped any action during the contest at Elland Road – but TV replays clearly showed him catching defender Ben White with his elbow in the opening stages of the fixture.

Mitrovic, 25, will sit out tomorrow’s derby at QPR along with the fixtures against Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest.

It has been a miserable return to action for the Whites, who have suffered back-to-back defeats to Brentford and Leeds which have killed off their hopes of a late surge for the Championship top two as they have dropped to fifth in the standings.

Now they will have to try and produce an upturn in form without their leading goalscorer, who has netted 23 times in 36 matches this season.