Belgian left-back De Bock, 25, joined Leeds on a four-and-a-half-year-deal from Club Brugge earlier this week.

It was thought Luke Ayling’s season-ending injury would see the new boy thrown straight into the action with Gaetano Berardi switching to right-back. 

But head coach Thomas Christiansen revealed in his pre-match press conference that De Bock will not be travelling to Ipswich because he is back in Belgium. 

“He signed and he went back but now in a few days he will be back again with the team to train and to be ready for joining the group,” Christiansen said.

“He’s an interesting player at left-back - a position that we have been searching for so that will be a good signing.

"For this game against Ipswich it will not be possible (for him to play) but for the next week there is good possibilities.

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"He's an experienced played games in the Europa League, Champions League. He's a player who has good qualities, particularly offensively, he comes well up the pitch.

"This is a player we need right now in this moment."

Christiansen has a threadbare squad at his disposal for the trip to Portman Road.

Samuel Saiz (suspension), Matthew Pennington (illness), Caleb Ekuban (foot), Luke Ayling and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (both ankle) and Ronaldo Vieira (knee) are all unavailable. 

Winger Stuart Dallas, however, is fit for selection. 

Leeds will be hoping for three points to consolidate their spot in the play-off positions. 

Christiansen said: “The players believe in me and themselves and what we are doing.

“We were out of the top six and we fought back again. 

“The question is to fight and the project is to be in the top six.”