The 27-year-old re-joined Leeds United in the summer.
Liam Bridcutt has told LUTV that Leeds United team-mate Kalvin Phillips has been “brilliant” this season, admitting he noticed his potential last season.
The 27-year-old joined Leeds on a permanent deal from Sunderland in the summer, after then-manager Steve Evans signed him on loan in the second half of the 2015-16 campaign.
But a foot injury has limited the midfielder to only four Championship appearances.
In his absence, 20-year-old Phillips has excelled in United’s midfield and struck up a solid partnership with Eunan O’Kane.
The Leeds academy graduate broke into the senior set-up last season under Uwe Rosler, and later earned chances under Evans, and Bridcutt claims he always knew that the youngster was a very decent talent.
“Yeah, definitely. From when I first came in last season, I always knew Kalvin was a good player. He just needed that opportunity and he’s been given it this season,” he told LUTV.
“He’s had a good run of games. The manager has stuck with him and put him in and he’s been brilliant.”
The Scotland international is due back in the coming weeks but Phillips’s performances mean that he may be forced to settle for a spot on the bench initially.
Either way, it gives manager Garry Monk a very welcome headache and one which he might like in regards to other positions. It would mean that Leeds’ squad is in better shape than it is.
Monk’s side, who sit sixth in the Championship, host top-of-the-table Newcastle, on a seven-match winning streak, at a sold-out Elland Road on Sunday.
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