Phil Hay has been speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic’s The Phil Hay Show about all things Leeds United.
One of the topics that Hay spent a bit of time on was Kalvin Phillips’ continued absence, with the 25-year-old possibly set to miss the Whites’ clash against West Ham United.
Phillips has missed Leeds’ last four league games with a calf problem, and it seems as if Marcelo Bielsa is in no rush to get him back involved.
Hay provided his view on the situation as Phillips continues to be unavailable.
He said: “When he [Bielsa] last spoke in depth about the injury, he was saying it was a tear in Phillips’ calf, and there was just that slight risk of it worsening.
“I think at this stage; if it was to worsen and if he was to aggravate it, then he would be losing a lot of the season that’s left; we’re getting quite close to the end of it now.
“So, they are being cautious; they are being careful.”
Do you want Phillips back soon?
No, let him take his time
Yes, we need him
TIF Thoughts on Phillips’ injury…
Without the England international in their side, the Whites really struggle to win and keep it tight at the back.
In the eight league matches that the 25-year-old has missed, Leeds have won just two, while they have conceded 15 goals.
So, it is clear that Leeds miss Phillips; however, given that the Whites are 12 points clear of the relegation zone, there is probably no real danger of them being dragged into the battle at the bottom and so can afford to let Phillips take his time.
From his point of view as well, England have an international tournament to compete in this summer, and you would think it would be devastating if he came back too quickly and injured himself again, ruling him out of the delayed Euro 2020.
So, we think that Leeds are doing the right thing with Phillips, and we hope to see him back soon when he is fully recovered.