Kalvin Phillips has told Leeds United teammate Leif Davis he is hoping to return to the side for the upcoming fixture versus Arsenal – as reported via Leeds Live.
According to the article, footage emerged on social media of Phillips speaking with his teammate, where he revealed he is to have treatment by way of injections on the shoulder injury he sustained during the defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers last month in order to speed up his recovery.
In the 24-year-old’s absence, the Whites have won just one of their last three Premier League fixtures (as per Transfermarkt). Up until he picked up his injury, Phillips, now an England international, boasted an average performance rating in the league of 6.94/10 (as per WhoScored), making him the club’s fourth-best performer.
How have these Leeds United supporters reacted to the news Phillips could return to face Arsenal?
I’d rather he stayed away until fully fit he could do more damage taking an injection
— Stephen Kelly?? (@iam1steve) November 11, 2020
What a guy but I hope he doesn’t aggravate his injury
— Kevin Hall (@KevinHa72309709) November 11, 2020
If you need a pain injection then the injury has not healed , be surprised if we would take the risk .
— Steve H (@steve_halstead) November 11, 2020
As any Football Manager player knows, don’t take pain injections to rush back! Could end in tears.
— Whiskeyjack (@2EllandBack) November 11, 2020
Would you take a risk on Kalvin Phillips' fitness to get him back sooner?
Yes
No
Whilst some fans were concerned the player could further aggravate his injury if rushed back into action, others were more positive about the news.
— Dom ? (@dommer14) November 11, 2020
Very good
— Phil M Taylor (@Philtaylor04) November 11, 2020
Massive. https://t.co/gbsCzcPrJM
— Conor McGilligan (@ConorJHMcG) November 11, 2020
Leeds United take on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal after the international break and given both sides’ disappointing results last time out, we can assume both teams will be extra keen to take all three points from Elland Road on November 22. Given Phillips, as mentioned above, has been the Whites’ fourth-best performer this season, in our view, if he was passed fit, it would be a significant boost to Marcelo Bielsa’s side, though the extent of the risk of rushing him back through an injection remains to be seen.