Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that Kalvin Phillips was taken off for tactical reasons rather than injury ones when asked by Sky Sports.
Phillips was spotted limping at full-time, which led to concerns that he could be injured.
Sky asked him whether Phillips was taken off as a result of a fitness issue.
However, Bielsa suggested that the change was done for tactical reasons, as he wanted Pascal Struijk on the pitch.
‘I chose Pascal to play in that sector. Because we had to play very in front,” Bielsa said.
“And I thought Pascal could take on board the game more.
“In any case we missed the way Phillips distributes the ball in the second half.”
Bielsa’s response does look like good news, although it should be noted that he didn’t confirm that Phillips was totally fine either.
Until the club give some official confirmation over Phillips’s injury status it is likely that Leeds fans will have to continue to worry.
If Phillips is seriously injured then his place at the European Championships could be in danger, as he looks almost certain to be part of England’s squad if he is fully fit.
Bielsa’s change seemed to work, as Struijk helped Leeds pick up a 2-0 win.
The Whites grew into the game in the second period and ultimately deserved the three points, after scoring through Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts.
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