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Kalvin Phillips in contention to start for Leeds against Arsenal

Kalvin Phillips in contention to start for Leeds against Arsenal
© Reuters
The England international is likely to start against Arsenal on Sunday.

Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips is back in contention and expected to start Sunday's home Premier League game against Arsenal.

Phillips tore shoulder ligaments in last month's home defeat to Wolves and has missed Leeds' last three Premier League matches, including successive 4-1 defeats to Leicester and Crystal Palace.

When asked if the England international was fit enough to start at Elland Road, boss Marcelo Bielsa said: "It's probable. I can't guarantee it, but it's probable."

Leeds will also be boosted by the return of club record signing Rodrigo, who has also missed the last two games after a period of isolation having recently tested positive for Covid-19.

"It's less likely he (Rodrigo) will start," Bielsa added. "But he will be there (in the squad)."

Phillips' presence in front of Bielsa's defence has been sorely missed as Leeds have slipped to 15th place following back-to-back defeats.

The 24-year-old's latest setback – he missed the final three games of last season due to a knee injury – also cost him his place in the England squad.

He missed the friendly win against the Republic of Ireland and last week's Nations League games against Belgium and Iceland.

"Phillips is a player who usually plays," Bielsa added. "The players who play regularly, it's always important to count on them.

"The evolution of Phillips is a constant one. He has a capacity to analyse and criticise himself and he finds what he needs to improve and correct his game – and he does this by himself."

Phillips' return is offset by news Pablo Hernandez will miss out due to a minor muscle strain, while fellow midfielder Jamie Shackleton (thigh) and defender Diego Llorente (groin) remain sidelined.

Skipper Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich, Tyler Roberts, Robin Koch and Ezgjan Alioski are all available following international duty.

Leeds confirmed earlier on Friday that defender Pascal Struijk had signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

The versatile 21-year-old has made five appearances for Leeds in all competitions this season, including four in the top flight.

Struijk, who arrived at Elland Road from Ajax in January 2018, made his first-team debut in the Sky Bet Championship last season in a 2-0 home win against Hull.

He made five league appearances in total as Leeds won the Championship title and started in their first Premier League game in 16 years against Liverpool at Anfield on the opening day of the current campaign.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd19124336251140
2Manchester CityMan City18115231131838
3Leicester CityLeicester19122535211438
4Liverpool1997337221534
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1896333171633
6Everton1710252821732
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham199552722532
8Aston Villa1792631181329
9Chelsea1985633231029
10Southampton188552621529
11Arsenal198382319427
12Leeds UnitedLeeds187293034-423
13Crystal Palace196582233-1123
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves196492129-822
15Burnley185491022-1219
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1954101832-1419
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton193882229-717
18Fulham1826101527-1212
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1925121543-2811
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1912161032-225

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