Kalvin Phillips: Leeds United ace could be back ahead of schedule after training snaps – Whelan
Noel Whelan has suggested Leeds United could have Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips back ahead of schedule after stepping up their injury recovery process this week.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds striker and club ambassador admitted the pair’s situation “looks brighter” than first feared after their recent layoff.
Phillips took to Twitter on Wednesday (2 February) to reveal both he and Cooper are back training on the grass pitches at Thorp Arch.
The duo have been out of action since early December with hamstring injuries.
As quoted by Sky Sports (31 December), Marcelo Bielsa confirmed the duo could be out until March.
However, Whelan suggested the latest update could mean an early return for the senior pair.
“If they’re out there training now, it means that their fitness regime is up and started,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“The days of resting the hamstring and having to get the treatment has now turned to running, getting the hamstring stronger, testing it out. Getting that fitness level back to match-playing fitness.
“That gradual buildup has now started and it looks brighter.
“The fact that they’re out there on the field now training and being part of bits and pieces with the first team means, I think they might be back a little bit before March.
“That is the hope, I would say, for everybody concerned.”
Phillips and Cooper have sat out Leeds’ last six games with their hamstring injuries.
The Whites have lost four and won two of their matches without the senior duo.
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