Leeds United are in line for a major boost ahead of this week’s match against Barnsley at Elland Road.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has revealed that defensive midfielder, and arguably one of the players of the season, Kalvin Phillips should be okay to feature on Thursday night.
Do Leeds now have the title in the bag?
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He was asked about the 24-year-old’s injury in a post-game Q&A at the weekend after the lynchpin was visibly limping about on the pitch for long spells with some sort of leg issue against Swansea City.
Hay replied saying:
“[Marcelo] Bielsa thinks he’ll be okay for Thursday.”
Phillips is absolutely integral to the way that Marcelo Bielsa wants to play – he’s truly the only player that can play that role in front of the backline.
Per WhoScored, he’s averaging a whopping 5.3 long balls, 2.6 tackles, 1.8 key passes and 1.4 interceptions per game this campaign. That’s hugely industrious and only goes to show that he has been crucial to Leeds’ success on the pitch.
Leeds know that four points from their remaining three matches will confirm their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence and having the Englishman fit and ready to go will aid their chances of coming out on top.
First up is Barnsley and then who knows, might the Yorkshire giants clinch that promotion against long-time foes Derby County. It would certainly be a fitting end to this impressive and unique season.