Leeds United could be set for double injury boost in Aston Villa clash

Kalvin Phillips could be in the matchday squad for Leeds United when Aston Villa visit Elland Road on Thursday night - but it’s unlikely that he’ll be involved from the start, if at all.

England midfielder and Leeds lad Phillips has played just 12 Premier League matches for the Whites this season, the last of those three months ago in a 2-2 draw with Brentford, because of injury set-backs which have dogged his campaign.

It’s a hamstring problem which has also ruled out captain and centre half Liam Cooper out for the same amount of time - he too was withdrawn in the Brentford draw - but the pair are tipped to return this month.

Meanwhile, striker Patrick Bamford - who netted 17 goals last season as the Whites secured a mid-table finish in their first season back in the top flight - is in line for minutes this week.

Bamford, like Phillips and Cooper, makes up Leeds’ spine and is a crucial member of the squad. His injury this season proved to be costly for former boss Marcelo Bielsa after he was sacked, but he’s now back in contention and was on the bench at Leicester.

The next step for the forward, who bagged a hat-trick behind closed doors at Villa last season, is minutes on the pitch and Thursday could be the first Leeds fans have seen of their talisman since December.

“I don’t think Patrick’s ready to be on from the start,” new boss Jesse Marsch explained. “Let’s see how the week goes but certainly I think he’ll be ready to put in some minutes come Thursday.

“Patrick is back in training, he will continue to progress more and more, we’ll get him fitter and fitter and sharper and sharper and then we will be able to rely on him in these 11 games.”

Leeds welcome Villa on Thursday night in desperate need of a result