Leeds employee Noel Whelan believes Kalvin Phillips could make his return from injury against Southampton following the international break, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Phillips makes matchday squad return

Phillips had been missing since December with a hamstring problem that required surgery but made a return to the matchday squad against Wolves prior to the international break.

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Jesse Marsch included the central midfielder on the bench for the trip to Molineux but revealed after the game that he never intended to use the 26-year-old.

Phillips has remained at Thorp Arch during the international break to continue his recovery ahead of a possible return against Southampton next weekend.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Talking to Football Insider, Whelan had this to say on Phillips, stating he will be ‘ramping up’ his recovery and 'could' return against the Saints.

The club ambassador also believes that the two-week break Marsch has with his side will be priceless ahead of the run-in.

“A two-week break off the back of a win like that will lift the spirits massively.

“We’ve got a lot of players who aren’t involved in any internationals, and that time with the manager will be invaluable.

“He will have most players available to work with at the training ground for two weeks as we go into this run-in – you just cannot buy that sort of time together when you come in mid-season.

“It’ll be a really happy thought for Jesse Marsch.

“The likes of Kalvin Phillips will be ramping it up and we could even see him against Southampton after the break.

“I’m sure some of the players will have wanted to go away with their countries, but it will be massive for Leeds’ chances of survival.”

The Verdict: Caution needed

Marsch has already learned first-hand with Patrick Bamford that there is a risk of rushing players back into action, so you’d expect he’ll be extremely cautious with Phillips.

Bamford appeared to suffer another foot injury in the win at Wolves, so perhaps Phillips may get some game time against Southampton from the bench instead of as a starter.

There are only eight games remaining for the Whites, and this international break, as Whelan mentions, could be priceless in regards to working on tactics and getting players back from injury as Leeds look to pull further away from trouble.

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