Jesse Marsch stresses importance of key trio to Leeds survival - Independent 17/3/22
Midfield linchpin Phillips and skipper Cooper are back in contention for Friday night’s game at Wolves, while Bamford started against Norwich
Head coach Jesse Marsch thinks Leeds’ Premier League
survival bid hinges on the successful returns of Patrick Bamford, Kalvin
Phillips and Liam Cooper.
Midfield linchpin Phillips and skipper Cooper are back in
contention for Friday night’s game at Wolves, while Bamford made his first
start since September in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Norwich.
Phillips and Cooper have both missed Leeds’ last 14 league
games and Marsch said: “It’s a big boost for them personally, but also for the
presence they have in our team.
“It’s a big positive momentum swing for our group. They’re
both quality players and great personalities and will make us stronger and
stronger.
“Even when I first came I knew getting the three main guys
back to full health was going to really dictate our success.
“We have a good group, but you need your best players on the
pitch.”
Marsch got his first win at the third attempt on Sunday thanks
to Joe Gelhardt’s stoppage-time winner against Norwich.
It kept Leeds four points above the relegation zone and they
now head to Molineux aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time this
season.
Bamford, restricted to just eight league appearances this
season due to successive ankle, hip and foot injuries, was withdrawn at
half-time against Norwich as a precaution and is fit to face Wolves.
Phillips and Cooper have both missed out through hamstring
injuries and during their absence Leeds have slipped to 10 defeats.
Marsch said: “We’ll see what the plan will be for their
minutes (at Wolves), but just having them back in training is big.
“We always had a goal of ‘can we get those guys back to top
fitness and sharp after the international break?’. With Pat we were a little
ahead of schedule.
“With Liam and Kalvin we’re on schedule, but we have more
work to do.
“(Phillips) had a really, really strong training session (on
Wednesday), as did Liam.
“They played with intensity with the ideas we’re trying to
implement, with and without the ball, so I’m really excited to get them on the
pitch.”
England international Phillips has been sorely missed, while
he continues to be linked with potential moves to some of Europe’s leading
clubs.
Marsch added: “I haven’t spent any time with anyone talking
about long-term futures, only about living in the moment and what’s important
for every day.
“Those conversations can be had down the road once we
establish a few more things. For me it’s been about prioritising what’s
important.
“Those conversations are more for the club, but I can always
help, and of course I would love to keep guys like Kalvin, Patrick and Raphinha
here as long as possible.”
Sunday match-winner Gelhardt and Rodrigo are nursing minor
niggles and will be monitored before Friday night’s kick-off.
Marsch confirmed Junior Firpo could be out for up to five
weeks due to the knee injury he sustained in the recent home defeat to Aston
Villa.