Joe Urquhart has been speaking on the latest edition of the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Inside Elland Road podcast about Kalvin Phillips’ injury.
The 25-year-old hurt his shoulder right at the very end of the West Bromwich Albion game, but he has still been included in England’s provisional squad for the European Championships.
Phillips had a shoulder injury earlier this season which kept him out for three games, so he has to hope that this one won’t see him miss the tournament.
However, Urquhart doesn’t want Phillips to be rushed back in case he breaks down again and misses the start of the season for the Whites.
He said: “You just worry about the impact that this may have on Leeds United going into next season if he does rush back, gets in the Euros squad, comes back, and then it doesn’t heal properly.
“I mean, this is completely from a selfish point of view, from a Leeds United sort of angle looking at it; you just hope that if he is included in the England squad, then it’s because he is 100% ready, fit, available for selection.
“You just hope that they don’t rush this injury and it causes further problems down the line. It would be hugely frustrating if he was to go away with England, come back, and then [during] pre-season or something else, it breaks down again, and he misses the start of the Premier League.”
Do you think that Phillips will make the England squad?
Yes, I hope so
No, he will miss out
TIF Thoughts on Phillips…
The 25-year-old had a brilliant season for Leeds as he averaged a strong 7.01 rating from WhoScored, which ranked him in fifth place in the Whites’ squad as they achieved a top-half finish.
So he deserves to go to the Euros and feature for his country, but if his shoulder isn’t right, then that decision should be taken out of his hands so he doesn’t risk any long-term problems or risk missing the start of the season as the Whites look to build on an impressive campaign.
In other news: ‘He’s made a mistake’ – Graham Smyth claims Leeds star may have played ‘last game’ at ER