'Massive...' - Leeds employee now drops priceless injury boost for Marsch ahead of Southampton

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

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.

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.

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.”

Marsch has already learned first-hand with Patrick Bamford that there is a risk of rushing players back into action, so you’d