Kalvin Phillips tipped to play v Arsenal after journalist’s Leeds update
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is likely to be in contention to face Arsenal this weekend, according to Kevin Campbell.
The former Gunners and Everton striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, believes the 25-year-old is a “quick healer” and could be fit to travel to the Emirates if he only suffered a slight strain on Monday night.
Phillips hobbled off after 88 minutes of Leeds’ 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace with a calf problem.
As quoted by Leeds Live, United boss Marcelo Bielsa revealed that he did not know the extent of the midfielder’s injury.
But journalist Beren Cross reported on 9th February how there was post-match optimism from the way the midfielder “came back out to the mouth of the tunnel at Elland Road, with ice strapped to his left leg, in order to bump fists with members of both teams”.
The midfielder will be assessed at the club’s training headquarters Thorp Arch this week before a decision is made on whether he can return to face Arsenal on Sunday.
When asked by Football Insider for his initial assessment of Phillips’ injury, Campbell said: “We do not know the extent of the injury yet.
“It could just be a slight strain. If you rest him up this week he could be in contention to face Arsenal.
“Calves are not the worst and he is young, so I think he will be a quick healer and can play.
“He has had a couple of niggly injuries this season though and maybe this is a rebound of something else that has gone on. Leeds will have to be wary of how they treat Phillips.”
Speaking on Phillips’ injury on Monday, Bielsa said: “Sincerely, I don’t know the state of Phillips’s injury now.”
The England international has already missed three Premier League fixtures due to injury this season.
In other news, three Leeds United teenagers have been tipped to make their Premier League debuts ahead of the trip to Arsenal.