Phillips makes ‘huge’ Dallas claim ahead of Leeds clash
Kevin Phillips has insisted Leeds United star Stuart Dallas deserves “massive credit” for going public on his recent challenges.
The former Sunderland striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 30-year-old will have “lifted the weight off his shoulders”.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds (October 28th), Dallas lifted the lid on how contracting Covid-19 and the passing of a close friend “impacted him a lot”.
However, the Leeds United star insisted he wouldn’t shy away from any challenges and asserted he was “making no excuses”.
Dallas pulled out of Northern Ireland’s squad to face Estonia, Lithuania, and Switzerland last month.
However, he has started each of the Whites’ Premier League fixtures this term.
Phillips said Dallas deserves “huge credit” for playing through his off-field challenges.
“It’s always tough. You can never really know what he’s going through until you experience it yourself,” he told Football Insider.
“Just to be playing football during this time is a massive credit to the player.
“Only he knows how he’s feeling. Putting on that shirt when he’s gone through that – a friend passing away – is a huge credit.
“Hopefully now he’s come out about it, it will help lift the weight off his shoulders and he can concentrate on returning to form.
“He is a quality player.”
Dallas has made 11 appearances in all competitions for Leeds United this season.
He has played 220 games for the club since joining from Brentford in 2015.
In other news, Danny Mills makes “huge” Leeds United claim ahead of Norwich clash.