"So important" – Journalist drops big "desperation" verdict involving key Leeds United duo

Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford are so important to Leeds‘ survival chances, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Yorkshire giants suffered a fifth consecutive Premier League defeat when they were comfortably beaten by Aston Villa on Thursday, but Jesse Marsch could have both players available soon.

Marsch might have continued his winless start as Leeds manager, but Bamford finally made his long-awaited return from injury following more than three months out.

He was on the bench for Marsch’s first game at Leicester on Saturday, but was not considered fit enough to get any minutes. That wasn’t the case in last night’s 3-0 defeat as the striker was introduced for the final 33 minutes, although he couldn’t help Leeds rescue anything from the game.

But with Leeds’ goal drought recently passing the six-hour mark, Bamford’s return should do their chances of pulling away from the relegation-zone no harm.

Phillips wasn’t involved against Villa, and Marsch wasn’t hopeful of the midfielder returning before the end of the month, however.

He said: “We will evaluate on Friday if he’s ready to start to enter training. In my mind, I’m earmarking the international break as a time where we can really start to get them into a training rhythm and get him back to being at 100%. Maybe it happens earlier. Let’s see.”

If Phillips is back in action after the next international break, he’ll only end up missing another two Premier League matches; the home game with Norwich on Sunday and the trip to Wolves the following weekend.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “They’re so important, not just in terms of playing style, but the character in the squad and the desperation to stay up. You want those guys that have been part of this entire journey to