Leaf mulch vs young white clover

I seeded a growing area with clover about the first of October. It has come up but is not big. I sowed too late but wanted to get some in the ground. It is planted in bare ground that I want to mulch with unshredded maple leaves. My question is this:
If I mulch with leaves now will it kill the young white clover plants or will they go dormant and start growing again in the spring when I rake the leaves aside to expose them ? I don't want to leave the bare ground bare over the winter. I suppose if it does kill the immature clovers I can just reseed and have all summer for the clover to establish itself. Any ideas?

Thom, Won't the leaves be broken down and composted by spring?

They won't be broken down by then, just a layer of wet, partially decomposed leaves. That is one thing I am afraid of that they will smother the immature clover with their weight and water content.