Kalvin Phillips injury blow will not derail Leeds United’s tilt at the Premier League

Kalvin Phillips will miss Leeds United’s potential promotion-clinching game at home to Barnsley tomorrow, and may not play again this season.
Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United is tackled by Conor Gallagher of Swansea City . (Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images)Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United is tackled by Conor Gallagher of Swansea City . (Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United is tackled by Conor Gallagher of Swansea City . (Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images)

The holding midfielder picked up a knee injury in Sunday’s dramatic 1-0 win at Swansea City.

On-loan central defender Ben White is set to deputise for Phillips in the Yorkshire derby, which is likely to mean a recall for Gaetano Berardi.

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“Kalvin is not going to play in Thursday’s match,” confirmed Bielsa. “It is a problem in the knee and he is probably not going to be involved in the next three matches. At worst it will be resolved in four or five weeks.”

Kalvin Phillips celebrates his goal at Blackburn with Barry Douglas.
 (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)Kalvin Phillips celebrates his goal at Blackburn with Barry Douglas.
 (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)
Kalvin Phillips celebrates his goal at Blackburn with Barry Douglas. (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)

Leeds’s season finishes next Wednesday, but their promotion could be secured tomorrow. If Brentford fail to win at home to Preston North End tonight, a victory for Leeds 24 hours later will confirm their place in next season’s Premier League.

Should Brentford keep up English football’s only 100 per cent post-resumption record, Leeds will guarantee promotion by taking four points from Barnsley and Derby County, Sunday’s hosts, irrespective of Brentford’s result at Stoke City on Saturday.

The Whites were relegated from the Premier League in 2004, and have not played in England’s top division since. That brings its own pressures, particularly after stumbling with the finish line in sight last year. Bielsa says his players are managing their emotions well.

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“At the moment the feeling we have is no different,” he insisted. “We just go for the win in every match. We are not thinking about the consequences.

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier is back under pressure from Kiko Casilla (Picture: PA)Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier is back under pressure from Kiko Casilla (Picture: PA)
Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier is back under pressure from Kiko Casilla (Picture: PA)

“The players know how to manage the emotions that make them stronger and weaker. It is necessary to compete well.”

Waiting until the 89th-minute of Sunday’s game to score its only goal brought an outpouring of emotion, particularly for goalscorer Pablo Hernandez, who was playing against his former club.

“The happiness after a win with a last-minute goal is very visible for everyone,” said Bielsa. “This happiness lasts just a short time. As the hours progress, everything is normal again.”

The Argentinian coach must keep his feelings in check too.

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“I try to manage the decisions I have to take in a balanced way,” he said. “The best way to do this is trying to be calm.”

Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla is available tomorrow having served an eight-match suspension for alleged racist language in September’s match at Charlton Athletic, but Bielsa gave no clues as to whether he will be involved.

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