Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has confirmed that both Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are in contention to play against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
The Yorkshire side welcome Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints to Elland Road knowing that, while they sit seven points clear of the relegation zone, they are by no means safe from the drop just yet, but that a win over the south coast side could go a long way to ensuring their Premier League survival.
And, to that end, Leeds will be handed a pair of massive boosts as key pair Phillips and Cooper are ready to play some part, Marsch revealed. The pair have made 27 appearances between them as Leeds have tried to battle the injuries that they have been plagued by this season, but neither have featured since December 12th, when both were forced off with injuries against Chelsea.
‘Both not fully 90 mins fit, but really close’, Marsch told the media. ‘I don’t think we can start both of them because it becomes two subs we may have to make. They are both feeling good. Excited to have them in the group now and believe they can have an impact.’
Phillips & Cooper are in contention. “Both not fully 90 mins fit, but really close. Don’t think we can start both of them because it becomes two subs we may have to make. They are both feeling good. Excited to have them in the group now and believe they can have an impact.” #LUFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) March 31, 2022
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Meslier to be given okay
Meanwhile, both Mateusz Klich and Illan Meslier are expected to feature, having recovered from concussion and ‘severe bruising’ respectively following the Peacocks’ last-gasp win over Wolves.
Mateusz Klich has cleared the concussion protocol while Illan Meslier is expected to recover from “severe bruising” to the upper thigh/ lower torso following a heavy collision with Raul Jimenez in GW30. https://t.co/FRzXxiXYL2#LUFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) March 31, 2022
Meslier in particular will be a welcome return, with the Frenchman having made the most saves across the Premier League campaign to date, just ahead of Manchester United’s David de Gea.
Leeds will be hoping that the returning players, and the raucous home crowd, will be enough to get them all three points.