Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder makes key admission regarding Kalvin Phillips after debut versus Middlesbrough
SHEFFIELD United manager Chris Wilder took some solace from an encouraging cameo from deadline-day signing Kalvin Phillips in Monday night's 2-1 home reverse to Middlesbrough - and insists that the former Leeds United midfielder will be a 'big player' for the Blades.
Phillips, who has joined the club on loan for the remainder of 2025-26 from Manchester City, made his Blades bow from the bench midway through the second-half against Boro.
His only previous minutes this season came when he entered the fray as a late substitute in City's EFL Cup win at Huddersfield Town in late September.
The 30-year-old, making his first league outing since turning out for Ipswich last May in a separate loan spell away from City, started the move which led to United's goal from ex-Leeds team-mate Patrick Bamford, who reduced the arrears against his former club on 75 minutes.
Wilder confirmed that Phillips will be involved again in this weekend's Championship game at Portsmouth as the Blades seek three points to maintain their outside hopes of gatecrashing the play-offs come May. They trail sixth-placed Wrexham by eight points with a third of the season still to go.
Phillips' importance has been heightened by a red card for fellow substitute Joe Rothwell following a reckless challenge on Alan Browne. He will serve a three-match ban, while Jairo Riedewald is also currently missing through injury.
Wilder said: "It was great to get him (Phillips) on the pitch. He showed what he was about with a great pass for Gus (Hamer) and fabulous goal from our point of view.
"He's going to be a big player for us. I thought the two (starting) midfield players (Oli Arblaster and Sydie Peck) were just off a bit in the first half, just half a yard.
"It was a difficult game for them because they're up against the two best midfield players in the division by quite a while, in my opinion (Hayden Hackney and Aidan Morris).
"They were just a little bit off a bit. Blaster didn't feel very well during the first half. We got to half-time and he had to come off through an illness.
"We were spinning the plate of Kalvin and it came up late on transfer deadline day.
"The deal is a fabulous deal from our point of view and the influence that he's had. He'll be involved at the weekend and get more minutes."