Leeds: 'Massive deal' for Jesse Marsch over 'absolutely integral' £54m duo

Having Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford back available is a “massive deal” for Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The £54m-rated duo have been out injured for more than three months but could make their respective comebacks in the near future.

It’s been an incredibly frustrating campaign for Phillips and Bamford, who’ve made a combined total of just 18 Premier League appearances this season, with neither player featuring since the 2-2 draw with Brentford in December.

Phillips hobbled off early in the second half with a hamstring problem, while Bamford sustained a foot injury when celebrating his late equaliser against the Bees.

Bamford did return to the squad for Marsch’s first game at Leicester on Saturday, although he wasn’t considered fit enough to come off the bench and remained as an unused substitute.

But Marsch confirmed ahead of the Villa clash that the striker could play some part against Steven Gerrard’s side, but Phillips is unlikely to return to the grass until Friday.

He said: “I don’t think Patrick’s ready to be on from the start. Let’s see how the week goes but certainly I think he’ll be ready to put in some minutes come Thursday.”

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Jesse Marsch will know all about those two. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, if you’ve had half an eye on Leeds you know that those two are absolutely integral to what’s gone on at this club, so it’s a massive, massive deal [having them back].”

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With both players spending so long on the sidelines, it was always unlikely that either player would return and come straight back into the starting XI.

But with Marsch’s Leeds in an extremely