MX23RW : Saturday, March 22 06:35:04| >> :120:43501:43501:

Kalvin Phillips "heartbroken" to miss Leeds run-in through injury

Kalvin Phillips has confirmed he will not play again this season.

Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips is "heartbroken" to be missing the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Boss Marcelo Bielsa, whose side are four points away from securing automatic promotion to the Premier League, suggested Phillips could sit out the run-in after he emerged for the second half of Sunday's 1-0 win at Swansea wearing heavy strapping on his knee.

The 24-year-old has now confirmed the news on social media.

Phillips posted on Instagram: "Heartbroken I will be missing the last 3 games of the season...

"Anyone that knows me knows it's killed me that this unfortunate injury has happened and I am beyond gutted I can't help the lads at such an important time on the pitch but I will make sure I'm there for everyone off the pitch!

"Still 3 massive games to go and we will need everyone to get to our goal.

"And for the majority of Leeds fans I can assure you I will be a nervous wreck watching just like the rest of you guys!

"One last push for everyone TOGETHER."

Speaking at a press conference to preview Thursday's clash with Barnsley earlier on Tuesday, boss Bielsa said: "He has a problem in the knee and probably is not going to be involved in the last three, but in the worst scenario it's an injury we are going to resolve in four or five weeks."

Phillips has made a significant contribution to Leeds' promotion push this season, with his displays in the midfield holding role earning praise from England manager Gareth Southgate.

Bielsa suggested on-loan central defender Ben White could play in Phillips' role against the Tykes, meaning a possible recall at centre-back for Gaetano Berardi.

Pablo Hernandez's late winner at Swansea left Leeds needing four points from their last three games to seal a return to the top flight for the first time since 2004.

Leeds will be guaranteed a top-two finish if promotion rivals Brentford fail to beat Preston at Griffin Park on Wednesday and Bielsa's side take three points from the visit of relegation battlers Barnsley.

Bielsa is satisfied his players have retained their focus after the joyous celebrations on Sunday which followed Hernandez's late winner.

"The happiness after winning with a last-minute goal is very visible for everybody," Bielsa said. "When the hours progress it all returns to normal.

"Professionalism allows you to choose the best moves for the competition.

"They know how to manage the emotions that make them stronger and weaker as well. It's necessary to manage those emotions to compete in the right way."

Bielsa reported no other major new injury concerns and said he had yet to decide whether Kiko Casilla will return in goal.

Spaniard Casilla has served an eight-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Charlton's Jonathan Leko in February.

Casilla, who denied the charge, was also fined £60,000, while French goalkeeper Illan Meslier has conceded just two goals in his absence.

ID:406507: cacheID:406507:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4387:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa pops a squat on February 15, 2020
Read Next:
Five talking points ahead of midweek Championship fixtures
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds382311476255180
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd38257653282580
3Burnley382115252114178
4Sunderland381912755371869
5Coventry CityCoventry38178135548759
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381318748341457
7Bristol City38141594941857
8Middlesbrough38159145748954
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn38157164240252
10Watford38157164751-452
11Millwall381312133739-251
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38149155359-651
13Norwich CityNorwich381213136054649
14Preston North EndPreston381017113944-547
15Queens Park RangersQPR381112154450-645
16Swansea CitySwansea38128183849-1144
17Portsmouth38119184661-1542
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd381012163955-1642
19Hull City381011173947-841
20Stoke CityStoke38912173751-1439
21Cardiff CityCardiff38912174262-2039
22Derby CountyDerby38108204051-1138
23Luton TownLuton3898213460-2635
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth38712194077-3733


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!