Leeds ‘remain confident’ midfielder Kalvin Phillips WILL be fit for England duty at the Euros – despite picking up shoulder injury three days before Gareth Southgate names his squad
Leeds ‘remain confident’ Kalvin Phillips will be fit for European Championship duty with England despite his shoulder injury.
The central midfielder suffered the problem just before the end of Sunday’s 3-1 victory against West Bromwich Albion and missed the squad’s lap of honour at Elland Road.
Gareth Southgate will name his 26-man England squad for this summer’s tournament on Tuesday, with Phillips a strong contender to make a major tournament line-up for the first time in his career.
Friday 11 June
European Championship
Group Stage
Turkey
Italy
Saturday 12 June
European Championship
Group Stage
Wales
Switzerland
Group Stage
Denmark
Finland
Group Stage
Belgium
Russia
Sunday 13 June
European Championship
Group Stage
England
Croatia
Leeds are ‘confident’ Kalvin Phillips will be fit for England at the Euros despite getting an injury
Midfielder Phillips, 25, suffered a shoulder knock late on in Sunday’s 3-1 win against West Brom
A statement said: ‘Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips picked up a shoulder injury in the closing stages of Sunday’s Premier League fixture with West Bromwich Albion.
‘This is currently being treated conservatively. However, we remain confident he will be available for Euro 2020, if selected for the England squad.’
Against West Brom, he beat Sam Johnstone with a neat free-kick approaching half-time to score his first goal since July as 8,000 returning Leeds fans watched Premier League football inside Elland Road for the first time since 2004.
England manager Gareth Southgate is set to name his 26-man squad for the Euros on Tuesday
Seven-cap international Phillips was expected to be called up to his first major tournament
However, a minute of madness threatened to ruin his day. First, his loose touch from Liam Cooper’s pass allowed Hal Robson-Kanu a consolation for Albion. Then, he frustratedly lunged at Grady Diangana by the touchline, earning him a yellow card and seeing him pick up the shoulder knock.
The 25-year-old made his England debut last September against Denmark and has been capped seven times, impressing for both club and country with his passing range, composure and physicality.
Speaking after Sunday’s match, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said: ‘We all hope it’s something that can be resolved quickly. Knowing the fortitude of Kalvin, I know he has the resources to quicken any problem he may have.’