‘Fitter and stronger’ – Leeds big name issues injury update after pre-lockdown absence
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has claimed that he is “fitter and stronger” than he was prior to the Whites’ season being suspended as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown.
The 24-year-old miss out on his side’s last game before the Championship season was halted because of a knee complaint.
But the Elland Road mainstay has suggested that he is fully recovered from that injury ahead of the second tier returning later this month.
And Phillips has even gone as far as to argue that the break in play has been a blessing in disguise for some players who were struggling with their fitness.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “I was one of them players.
“I missed the last game with a sore knee. I think the first week or so gave you time to recover.
“When we got back we did a bit of running but as you could tell, we’re as fit as we have been.
“I felt exactly the same, if anything I’m probably fitter and stronger than I was before the pandemic.”
This is a really positive update from Phillips.
One of the main concerns surrounding the Championship restart has been how the break in action would affect the fitness of Leeds’ squad.
Sue Smith has suggested that the Whites might struggle to play their natural, high-intensity game during the summer months, while David Prutton has claimed that Marcelo Bielsa will not be afraid to swing the axe on any players who do not meet his exacting standards of endurance.
But by the sounds of it, we have nothing to worry about.
If Phillips’ update is anything to go by, Leeds should be able to hit the ground running, and it’s their opponents, if anybody, who should be concerned.
In other Leeds United news, Josh Warrington outlines ‘only fear’ about Leeds promotion push.