Leeds must finally unleash "unique" £50k-p/w machine today, he's a real game-changer - opinion

At long last, Leeds United look set to finally call upon Kalvin Phillips in the Premier League.

The England international has been out of action for a number of months, but after making the bench against Wolves last time out just before the international break, he is in line to feature against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Elland Road encounter, Leeds manager Jesse Marsch said: “Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are in contention to start. I think they’re both probably not fully 90 minutes fit, but really close.

“I don’t think we can start both because then it is possibly two subs we have to make in the game, but we have to think carefully and we have a meeting today to discuss how they are. Both are feeling good and looking even better, so we are really excited to have them in the group now and think they can both have a massive impact.”

Last season saw the Whites struggle without their midfield lynchpin, winning just two out of nine Premier League games that he missed; while they have been equally poor this term, with just the four victories in the 18 top-flight matches for which he has not been available.

It’s no surprise that former Premier League striker Darren Bent has insisted that Phillips is the kind of player that Leeds simply cannot replace like-for-like. He said: “It is a unique role, and you think who else can they get in that position who can do the job effectively. The answer to that is no one. He’s that good of a player that it’s hard to replace him.”

However, following a couple of crucial results against the likes of Norwich and Wolves in recent weeks, the pressure has eased a bit on Leeds, so the burden on Phillips to come in and perform