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Gary Lineker reacts to Kalvin Phillips injury after Leeds United beat West Brom
Gary Lineker was left fearing for Kalvin Phillips after the Leeds United midfielder suffered an injury in the dying embers of Sunday’s 3-1 win against West Brom.
Leeds dismantled the relegated West Midlands club at Elland Road with Phillips grabbing the second goal of the game a few minutes before half-time, his first in the Premier League.
But the game ended on a sour note for the 25-year-old after he was forced from the field following a heavy challenge on Grady Diangana, and his participation in the upcoming European Championships could be in doubt.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day [23/05/21], Lineker said: “One player who would definitely be in the [England] squad but, a little bit of a concern looking at the injury at the end of the game, is Kalvin Phillips.
“A shoulder [injury] it looks like.”
Alan Shearer replied: “93rd minute, the game’s won, I think it’s the second time he’s hurt his shoulder this season, he had one back in October as well, we hope he’s alright.”
Cruel
If Phillips does now miss Euro 2020 it would be an extremely tough one to take for the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’.
His efforts in helping to gain us to promotion last season and the way he has adapted to the Premier League have thoroughly impressed England manager Gareth Southgate, who has made Phillips an integral member of the starting XI recently.
With Jordan Henderson struggling for fitness there is a vacancy alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the Three Lions midfield and the Leeds star was set to take it after starting all three of their last international fixtures in March.
But now there are major questions marks over whether he will make it for June.
Even more frustrating for Phillips on reflection will be the pointless nature of the challenge he made, for which he received a yellow card despite being stricken on the floor.
With the Whites 3-1 up and comfortable on the final day of the season Phillips didn’t need to go steaming in on Diangana around the halfway line.
But it shows his true competitiveness and relentless attitude that has won him so many admirers, especially since Marcelo Bielsa took the Leeds reigns.
Fingers crossed Phillips overcomes this injury and we can get to see a Whites player tear it up with England at a major tournament.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Unforgettable’ – Andrea Radrizzani sends touching Twitter tribute to Whites supporters.