Your Leeds United evening headlines for Saturday, April 23.
Marsch challenge to Phillips
Jesse Marsch has challenged Kalvin Phillips to ‘push’ himself to develop into the best player possible. Last summer, Gareth Southgate raised eyebrows nationwide when he started the 26-year-old in England’s Euro 2020 opener against Croatia.
However, his decision was soon vindicated and supporters from rival clubs acknowledged Phillips’ talents after a man-of-the-match display. Leeds fans have known all along about how good the midfielder can be and Marsch has tasked him to fulfil his potential.
Read more: Select your Leeds United XI for Crystal Palace trip as Jesse Marsch faces two big selection dilemmas
Ahead of Monday's trip to Crystal Palace, he said: "I've seen from the beginning that he has an effect in the group, no question, because of his personality, his quality, and what it means to be part of Leeds United.
"My challenge to Kalvin has been to push him to be better and better and to be the best. That's my goal for him.
"We've talked a lot about the intensity at which I think he can play against the ball and then the ease and the clarity that he can play with the ball, and getting that balance right and the ability to kind of shift gears from one thing to the next and he's been great in training.
"He's fully fit, he's fully ready and we're excited for him to be back. Kalvin's back to 100 per cent so Kalvin will start in the match on Monday."
Double praise for Rodrigo
Former Leeds players Eddie Gray and Dominic Matteo have praised record buy Rodrigo for his recent turnaround in form. The Spaniard initially struggled to settle at Elland Road following a £27million move from Valencia.
However, Rodrigo is now starting to justify the hefty price tag - bagging three goals in his last four outings. Ex-Whites duo Gray and Matteo singled the forward out for praise after his recent run of form.
Speaking to the club’s media channel, Matteo said: “I’m really pleased for Rodrigo, I think he’s the one player that we always seem to mention on the show. He is improving. He always seems to get better as the season goes on and I think we’re going to see more from him. He’s obviously chipping in with the goals as well and I think some of them were brilliantly taken as well.”
Gray added: “I think Dom’s right what he says about Rodrigo. The past few games he’s been one of our most impressive players and he seems to be rising to the challenge that’s in front of him which is good for us because we know Raphinha can score goals, we’ve got players who can play. But it’s nice to see him getting somewhere near his best and that will give him a lot of confidence going into the run-in.”
Bray set for Wigan
Whites youngster Owen Bray will be offered a contract by Wigan Athletic, Football Insider claims. The 19-year-old has failed to break into Leeds' U23 side this campaign and was allowed to play for the Latics youth team against Hull in midweek.
Academy products Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Cresswell, Sam Greenwood and Crysensio Summerville have all featured for the first team this season but Bray has failed to replicate the same promise. Wigan look destined to play Championship football next year and opportunities may arise for the midfielder in the second tier.
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