Phil Hay issues update on Leeds United duo Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper

Phil Hay has claimed that the injured Leeds United duo Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper could be back in January, at the earliest.

For Phillips, this has brought his recovery timescale forward as on December 13, The Athletic reported that he was out for at least two months after a hamstring operation.

Even Cooper could be back in January, but Hay believes that early February is likelier.

He said on the Phil Hay Show, "Phillips and Cooper are both looking at extended absences and I think it would be the back end of next month (January) at the earliest, probably February before we see them again."

Good news

To say that Leeds have been riddled with injuries this season would be a major understatement.

The Whites have probably been the most unlucky in the Premier League with their absentees.

They've played a number of formations and thrown multiple players into their backline to virtually make up the numbers.

Phillips, who's been nearly world-class in midfield, was quite surprisingly played as a centre-back, and as many expected, it didn't work out.

It remains to be seen where he features once he's back to full fitness, given how well Adam Forshaw has done in his stead.

A double pivot of the two players is certainly not off the cards and it could actually give them more solidity in the middle of the park.

In terms of the defence, a new centre-back is unlikely to come in during the January window, but the club should be looking at targets for the summer.

In other Leeds United news, the club have made an enquiry to sign a ‘Magnificent’ South American midfielder in January