Kalvin Phillips in Leeds United return, but absences in more attacking midfield position

Holding midfielder Phillips has not played since injuring his shoulder a month ago. Leeds initially ruled their homegrown player out for six weeks but coach Marcelo Bielsa cast doubt on that and he has indeed returned ahead of schedule.

Rodrigo is also fit again after coronavirus but Bielsa suggested he may have to return from the bench, compounding the problem of another muscle problem for Hernandez.

“Pablo Hernandez he picked up a muscular injury during the week,” confirmed Bielsa. “It's nothing serious but he won't be able to play this weekend.”

The return of a player of Phillips's quality is a huge boost to a side which lost its last two matches before the November international break 4-1.

Although it was widely expected Rodrigo had been signed for a club record £27m to play at centre-forward this summer, he has found a niche as an attacking midfield player whilst Patrick Bamford has retained the job of striker.

Tyler Roberts is likely to be asked to play alongside Phillips and Mateusz Klich in midfield if Rodrigo is unable to start.

Diego Llorente's Leeds debut has been further delayed by another setback in his return from injury. The Spanish centre-back has been dogged with bad luck since joining in the summer transfer window.

“What happened with Llorente was he was injured, he recovered and on the training session he started training again, he had a relapse,” explained Bielsa. “He is now cured but because of the relapse he is being given extra time to fully get back, just to be sure.”

Jamie Shackleton is also missing through injury. There was no mention of the fitness of Ezgjan Alioski, who returned early from international duty with North Macedonia suffering a "swollen hamstring".

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