There will have been to be a few raised eyebrows at Elland Road when the team news came out at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
We were all expecting the same 18 that travelled to the KCOM Stadium to face Hull to be present at the John Smith’s Stadium after Marcelo Bielsa’s press conference earlier this week.
However, when the team was announced, Kalvin Phillips was nowhere to be seen, and of course, that was a bit of a cause for concern.
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The logical explanation was that the Yorkshire Pirlo wasn’t fully fit after there were questions about his fitness when the Whites played the Tigers last week.
As always Phil Hay was quick to clear up any speculation around the 24-year-old as he gave an update on his fitness.
What’s been said then?
The journalist was hosting a post-match Q&A session on The Athletic, and as you’d expect one of the biggest talking points was Phillips’ absence.
Hay was asked for an update on Phillips, to which he replied:
“Same injury as he had before. Late decision yesterday after treatment earlier in the week. A good chance he’ll be fit for the Cardiff game, according to the club.”
Good news
With Leeds on the verge of promotion to the Premier League this is exactly what they’ll have wanted to hear.
The Yorkshire club managed to get over the line without their star man on Saturday, but it has to be said that their performances dip when he’s not on the pitch, losing two of the three games he was out for after his red card against QPR earlier this season.
The midfielder has previously been hailed as the best player in the Championship, so having him back as soon as possible will be music to the ears of every United supporter.
Fingers crossed the club are right with their diagnosis and they aren’t rushing him back too quickly again.
In other news, Leeds fans have been drooling over one man.