Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Thursday, April 7.
Robinson calls for Phillips to start
Former England international Paul Robinson has called for Kalvin Phillips to be in the starting XI for Leeds United's pivotal game against Watford on Saturday. The 26-year-old returned to action for the first time in four months as the Whites were held to a 1-1 draw against Southampton at the weekend.
Phillips came on for the final 25 minutes but was unable to help his side to all three points as the Whites had to settle for a draw at Elland Road. It was a result that has kept Leeds in the fight to stay in the Premier League, but Phillips' return to full fitness could be pivotal in the run-in.
Having suffered a serious hamstring injury in December, Phillips has missed 15 games in total which has dramatically affected the Whites' chances of staying up. And Robinson has backed Jesse Marsch to name Phillips in the side to face 19th-place Watford.
READ MORE: Every option for Kalvin Phillips as Leeds United man has huge future decision to make
"It’s his time to play now. I mean, Liam Cooper came in and did extremely well and I think it’s time for Kalvin to come back in as well," Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
"They’ve missed him for so long and he was successful off the bench at the weekend, which is all they could have hoped for really. They’ve got to look at starting him now. He’s got to start."
Wright devastated for Bamford
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has revealed he was 'devastated' for Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford after seeing him limp out of the recent clash with Wolverhamton Wanderers. Bamford featured in all 38 Premier League matches for Leeds during the 2020/21 campaign, scoring 17 goals and establishing himself as a top-flight marksman.
However, he has been ravaged by injuries this season and has managed just nine league appearances. Having already endured two separate lay-offs, the 28-year-old was forced out of the action at Molineux and it was later revealed by the club that he had ruptured his plantar fascia.
It is an injury to the sole of the foot and although he will not require surgery, Wright has admitted he was devastated for the forward. Whilst discussing the recent return of Kalvin Phillips from injury on Wrighty's House, he said: "They try to hold you back so you don’t break down, as we’ve seen with Patrick Bamford, because you’re under pressure and you’re needed.
"You want to get back, the team wants you back, fans are constantly saying you’re back. I cannot even try to get into the headspace of the pressure that guy is under. So to see him back I just pray to God they manage him so it’s not a breakdown situation like with Patrick. I was devastated for Patrick, I just hope that doesn’t happen with Kalvin."
Koch makes English food claim
Leeds United defender Robin Koch has admitted he expected English food to be 'worse' as he reflects on his time in West Yorkshire so far. The 25-year-old joined the Whites in summer 2020 from SC Freiburg and played an important role in the Whites' ninth-place finish last term.
His switch to Elland Road was the first time he had signed for a club outside of Germany, having spend the early stages of his career at SV Eintracht Trier 05, FC Kaiserslautern and then Freiburg. This meant there was always going to be a period of time where Koch needed to adapt to life in England.
With the Covid-19 pandemic making social interaction tough during the first year of his Leeds career, Koch has had to adapt differently from what he may have hoped it would've been like. A new culture and language are amongst the many things Koch has had to adapt to and it is safe to say he is getting along with that just fine.
"I had a very good time in Freiburg, so I was a bit sad when I left. Nevertheless, it was, of course, exciting to move abroad," he told Badische-Zeitung.
"I miss the guys from SC Freiburg. And the weather! (But) I was looking forward to the English league. And I was looking forward to finally being able to play with the team. The first game was right away against Liverpool at the Anfield Road soccer stadium in Liverpool.
"I think I speak English pretty well now. The English lessons at school certainly helped a lot.
"In general, the food tastes better to me in Germany. But in Leeds, there are one or two very good restaurants. I would have expected it to be worse."
