MX23RW : Sunday, July 19 17:25:50| >> :60:468:468:

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

Kalvin Phillips
© Reuters
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:

Click here for more stories about Kalvin Phillips

Click here for more stories about Leeds United

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa pops a squat on February 15, 2020
Read Next:
Five talking points ahead of midweek Championship fixtures
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
FA Cup
Premier League
Championship
La Liga
Serie A
Primeira Liga
National League North
National League South
Turkish Super Lig
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Danish Superliga
Belarusian Premier League
Major League Soccer
Australian A-League
Chinese Super League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeeds UnitedLeeds45279973353890
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom452216775433282
3Brentford452491279364381
4Fulham4523111163471680
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest4518161157461170
6Cardiff CityCardiff451816116558770
7Swansea CitySwansea451716125852667
8Preston North EndPreston451811165853565
9Millwall451617125350365
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn451712166460463
11Bristol City451711175964-562
12Derby CountyDerby451613165963-461
13Wigan AthleticWigan451513175655158
14Queens Park RangersQPR45169206574-957
15Reading451511195854456
16Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds451511195764-756
17Stoke CityStoke45158225867-953
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield451312205166-1551
19Middlesbrough451214194660-1450
20Birmingham CityBirmingham451214195372-1950
21Charlton AthleticCharlton451212215061-1148
22Luton TownLuton45139235180-2948
23Barnsley451113214768-2146
24Hull City45129245784-2745

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!