Kalvin Phillips must start for Leeds United in relegation crunch clash v Watford – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Kalvin Phillips must start for Leeds United when they face relegation rivals Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, according to Paul Robinson.
Phillips, 26, made his first appearance since 5 December when he came off the bench in Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Southampton last week.
The England midfielder has been out of action for months due to a hamstring injury but has now fully recovered and is on the verge of a complete comeback.
After seeing Liam Cooper return from a similar injury to start and complete 90 minutes against the Saints, Robinson feels it’s time for Phillips to get the same return by making Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up for the first time against Watford on Saturday.
“It’s his time to play now. I mean, Liam Cooper came in and did extremely well and I think it’s time for Kalvin to come back in as well,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“They’ve missed him for so long and he was successful off the bench at the weekend, which is all they could have hoped for really.
“They’ve got to look at starting him now.
“He’s got to start.”
Phillips has managed just 16 appearances in all competitions for Leeds this season due to his hamstring injury.
The defensive midfielder replaced Mateusz Klich in the 66th minute of the draw with Southampton.
It remains to be seen who the England ace could replace in Marsch’s line-up but based on that substitution last week, Klich is the prime candidate to be dropped.
In other Leeds United news, this Elland Road ace could be thrown under the bus by Marsch after what happened on Monday.