Leeds United: Phillips just can’t wait for pre-season to get going

The Leeds lad this week put pen to paper to officially sign a new two-year deal at Elland Road, with the teenager capping off a memorable few months by securing his future at his hometown club.

Phillips has come a long way fast, having made his debut in the televised 4-3 loss at Wolves on Easter Monday and scoring his first goal for the club five days later on his full home debut against Cardiff.

Now the teenager has signed his first professional deal and his sights are on impressing new head coach Uwe Rosler when pre-season training begins at the start of July.

And the club’s trip to Austria between July 18 and 24 being something he is particularly looking forward to.

Leeds are due to play Athletic Bilbao on July 21 with a game against Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim four days later in Norway at the home of Lillestrom FK.

He said: “I quite like pre-season.

“I’m one of those people who likes to keep fit all the time but when pre-season comes you just want to play football. If I keep fit during the off-season, then I will be prepared to play proper football when I get back.

“With the new head coach, he doesn’t really know any of the lads properly and I’m going to have to make an impression and see if he likes me.

“It’ll be the first time I’ve been on a pre-season tour so hopefully that goes well.”

After making his league bow at the back of last term, Phillips is now seeking to consolidate and build on that in a structured way next term, when United’s first-team squad is likely to have a youthful sheen.

He said: “After last season – I only made those two appearances – but it’s always in my mind to make more and more and do the best I can. I’ve got a good plan.

“I’m excited. I think we have made a couple of good signings already and I can’t wait to work with them on the training ground and see how the team progresses and gets better throughout pre-season and next season.”