---
title: "Leeds United: Kalvin Phillips’ projected injury return date revised"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/kalvin-phillips-injury-boost-leeds/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2020-10-23T07:45:22Z"
modified: "2020-10-23T07:45:22Z"
---

# Leeds United: Kalvin Phillips’ projected injury return date revised

**Leeds United are [increasingly confident](https://www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-surprise-leeds-injury-update-from-thorp-arch/) that midfielder [Kalvin Phillips](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/noel-whelan-leeds-wont-sell-kalvin-phillips/) could return to action quicker than his originally projected six-week absence.**

Whites manager Marcelo Bielsa has seen his side start the Premier League season in relatively good form since sealing a return to England’s top flight after a 16-year absence. However, a [three-match unbeaten run](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/spielplan/verein/399) came to an abrupt end on Monday as Wolves sealed a 1-0 win at Elland Road.

The game presented Bielsa with a selection headache as both [Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/leeds-united-michael-brown-believes-liam-cooper-will-be-risked-against-wolves/) were ruled out through injury, with Phillips now added to that list as the Whites confirmed that he damaged his shoulder in the defeat and [could face up to six weeks out of action.](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/major-leeds-blow-kalvin-phillips-shoulder-injury-confirmed)

### Hope of a quick return to action for Kalvin Phillips

Despite the initially predicted six-week layoff, it has now been reported by [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-surprise-leeds-injury-update-from-thorp-arch/) that the defensive midfielder could return sooner. A source close to the Whites’ dressing room [suggested](https://www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-surprise-leeds-injury-update-from-thorp-arch/) that Phillips could return after the next international break.

The 24-year-old is currently undergoing rehab at Thorp Arch and it is understood that club physios have set a targeted return date of 21 November, when they face Arsenal.

Whenever it comes, his return will no doubt be a relief for Bielsa, for whom Phillips has been an integral midfield presence [this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/leistungsdaten/spieler/351749) and [last](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/351749/plus/0/saison/2019/wettbewerb/GB2/verein/399). Indeed, Phillips’ quality is illustrated by Jamie Redknapp’s assertion that he “[makes football look easy](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/kalvin-phillips-england-leeds-united-19105774?cmpredirect=)“.

### Who could replace Kalvin Phillips?

Touching on Phillips’ absence, [Bielsa revealed](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-united-pascal-struijk-named-as-potential-kalvin-phillips-replacement/) that Pascal Struijk could come in to replace the England international, despite the Dutchman making just [two Premier League appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pascal-struijk/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/410708/verein/399).

Of course, replacing Phillips over the next few weeks will prove to be tricky, especially considering how he has [played his way into Gareth Southgate’s England side](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/nationalmannschaft/spieler/351749/verein_id/3299) with his form over the last few months, so the news of a potential early return to action is very encouraging.

***Do you think Leeds will suffer without Phillips? Let us know your views in the comments section below…***