Pundit predicts Jesse Marsch to axe Mateusz Klich for Leeds United v Crystal Palace amid Thorp Arch reveal
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...
Paul Robinson predicts Kalvin Phillips will return to the Leeds United starting line-up on Monday night when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Phillips, 26, has returned from a long-term hamstring injury in the last few weeks, coming off the bench in games against Southampton and Watford.
Ahead of Leeds’ trip to South London, Phillips has been spotted in training at Thorp Arch.
As you can see in the images above, Phillips is on the grass at Thorp Arch and looks to be going in for a full-blooded challenge on youngster Lewis Bate.
It looks as though he’s ready to start and despite strong performances last time out, Robinson feels it’ll be 31-year-old Mateusz Klich, out of him and Robin Koch, who’s axed to make way for Phillips.
“For me, Phillips and [Adam] Forshaw both come in if they’re fit and able to play 90 minutes,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“I know they played well at Watford so I don’t think both Phillips and Forshaw will come back in.
“Forshaw’s been out so he’ll probably have to get his game-time off the bench.
“Phillips should come in alongside either Klich or Koch.
“It’ll probably be alongside Koch if Jesse Marsch is going to play that way again.”
Phillips hasn’t started a game for Leeds since the draw with Brentford on 5 December.
However, he’s played 55 minutes combined in his last two substitute appearances and will have had two more weeks to recuperate since the win over Watford.
In other Leeds United news, this young prospect is quitting Leeds and turned out for his potential new club on Tuesday night.