Noel Whelan

Fri 18 March 2022 12:30, UK

Noel Whelan has tipped Kalvin Phillips to return to the Leeds United starting XI against Wolves tonight (18 March).

The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 26-year-old could line up alongside Adam Forshaw in the middle of the park.

Speaking at his press conference on Thursday (17 March), Jesse Marsch confirmed Phillips is “back in full training and eligible” for the trip to Molineux.

In footage posted to Leeds’ official Twitter account from Thorp Arch, the midfielder can be seen laughing and smiling before taking part in drills alongside his teammates.

Whelan suggested Phillips would step straight back into the starting XI at the expense of either Mateusz Klich or Rodrigo.

Discussing a potential comeback for Phillips against Wolves, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “That is a no brainer for me.

“He looks fit enough. I saw the pictures of him on the training ground with a smile on his face. With a new manager as well and the predicament and position we’re in, it’d be hard not to start him.

“If he’s fully fit, you’ve got to play him from the beginning. Especially against a very good, organised Wolves outfit away from home.

“You need these kinds of players if you’ve got any chance of getting something out of the game.

“The two players I would trust the most in that defensive midfield role would be Forshaw and Kalvin Yeah. Klich is more of an advanced midfield player, in my opinion.

“I thought he had a better game against Norwich, but that’s against Norwich. This is a different kettle of fish. I think if you have Klich further forward in that advanced role, it’d probably give you a better balance.

“What you have to decide is do you play Klich or Rodrigo or Gelhardt? You’ve got to be solid in the middle because we do know how good Wolves are in midfield.”

In other news, Leeds United tipped to initiate bidding war amid source’s £60million transfer reveal.