Jesse Marsch issues ultimate challenge to Kalvin Phillips ahead of big moment - YEP 22/4/22

Kalvin Phillips is poised to make his full Leeds United return and has been issued with the ultimate challenge by new boss Jesse Marsch.

By Lee Sobot

United's England international star Phillips made his first appearance after four months out with a hamstring injury as a 66th-minute substitute in the 1-1 draw at home to Southampton at the start of this month.

The Yorkshire Pirlo was then introduced in the 59th minute of the 3-0 win at Watford which preceded United's 15-day break and Marsch has revealed that the 26-year-old will now start Monday night's return to action at Crystal Palace.

Phillips has not started a game since the 2-2 draw at home to Brentford at the start of December in which he suffered his hamstring injury and Marsch has signalled just what his full return will mean, as well as outlining his aims for the Whites midfielder.

Marsch said: "I've seen from the beginning that he has an effect in the group, no question, because of his personality, his quality, and what it means to be part of Leeds United.

"My challenge to Kalvin has been to push him to be better and better and to be the best. That's my goal for him.

"We've talked a lot about the intensity at which I think he can play against the ball and then the ease and the clarity that he can play with the ball, and getting that balance right and the ability to kind of shift gears from one thing to the next and he's been great in training.

"He had a really good training week.

"He's fully fit, he's fully ready and we're excited for him to be back.

"Kalvin's back to 100 per cent so Kalvin will start in the match on Monday."

Asked how Phillips was in his mind after seeing his side previously struggle whist sidelined, Marsch reasoned: “The kind of injury that he had was a serious one.

"I think when any player experiences that kind of injury, the first thing is you have to become selfish and try to do everything you can to get yourself healthy again.

"He was a big part of every day from the beginning, in every video session, in every meeting, and his energy of being around the team was always massive. So I know that he’s excited.

"I think he’s played well when he has come off the bench for us in a couple of matches, and I know he’s 100 per cent fit and ready to go. So it’s big for us to have him back.”