Midfield duo in running for Leeds recalls against Bristol City – report
By Alex Stevens
Eunan O’Kane and Kalvin Phillips are in contention to be recalled to the Leeds starting XI for Tuesday night’s Championship clash against Bristol City, according to a report.
The Yorkshire Evening Post claim the unavailability of Liam Bridcutt paves the way for at least one of the midfield duo to return to the team.
It is said that manager Garry Monk will “choose between Ronaldo Vieira, Eunan O’Kane and Kalvin Phillips for his midfield pair”.
Bridcutt will serve a one-match suspension against City after seeing red in the final minutes of Leeds’ 2-0 defeat to Cardiff on Saturday.
The Leeds skipper has been partnered in central midfield by Vieira for the last two matches, which the Yorkshire giants have lost to Cardiff and Huddersfield.
O’Kane was an unused substitute against Cardiff and came on for the last eight minutes against Huddersfield, while Phillips did not make the matchday squad on either occasion.
Monk explained how he believes the team is well resourced in central midfield.
“We’ve done well there this season and it’s a very competitive area for us,” Monk said, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post. “All of the players have different attributes. They all bring something different.
“Whether it’s Eunan, Kalvin or Ronny – whichever combination we choose, they know what they have to do and what they have to bring. They have to put their personality on the pitch which is what they’ve been doing pretty much throughout the season.”
Phillips has not played for Leeds since their humiliating FA Cup exit to Sutton, but the academy product has racked up 29 appearances in all competitions this season, including 21 starts.
O’Kane, who was established in central midfield as a regular starter until suffering a groin injury that sidelined him for six weeks, has made 18 appearances, including 14 starts.
In other Leeds team news, there has been a finale in a major deal after a £7million Leeds bid was tabled.
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