Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch shares Kalvin Phillips update, admits Patrick Bamford mistake
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch says the club will work Kalvin Phillip’s recovery over a few weeks after Patrick Bamford’s set back, reports Adam Pope.
The midfielder was introduced just before the hour mark during the 3-0 win at Watford today (9 April), only slightly earlier than his arrival during the draw with Southampton last week (2 April).
Both Mateusz Klich and Robin Koch struggled to contain the second-from-bottom Hornets, so the England star’s full-time return will be a major boost when it does arrive.
But in light of striker Bamford being ruled out for “a minimum of six weeks” (The Athletic) in just his third game back at Wolves, United are not going to rush things.
BBC man Pope reported on his Twitter account after the Watford win: “Marsch says they will spend the next few weeks making sure Phillips is fully up to speed after admitting they made a mistake with Bamford coming back early.”
Lesson learned
Considering the performance of the midfield paring at Vicarage Road, and some issues for Adam Forshaw, it is vital that Phillips is looked after.
United missed the Yorkshire Pirlo, main striker Bamford, and captain Liam Cooper, badly over the period that saw relegation become a major threat and Marcelo Bielsa removed.
Cooper has made a full return, and was needed for plenty of last-ditch defensive work in the Watford win.
But, after Bamford was ruled out long-term twice after appearing to be on his way back to fitness, Phillips will be treated especially carefully.
Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Rodrigo look to be filling the strikers shoes well, but the midfield man was missed before he was brought on.
Fans will hope that the club is taking as much care with the boyhood Whites fan’s contract situation as they are with his recovery, with suitors circling ahead of the summer transfer window.
In other Leeds United news, one youngster is due to explode after what Marsch shared about his Thorp Arch work today.