FLEXIBLE PHILLIPS ‘HAPPY TO PLAY DEFENCE’

LEEDS United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been impressed by the versatility of Kalvin Phillips.

The 22-year-old is predominantly a central midfielder, but has looked assured at the heart of the Whites’ defence, picking up the man-of-the-match award for his display against Reading.

“He is versatile, which is important in football,” said Bielsa at his press conference to preview yesterday’s game against Sheffield United.

“If you look at past year, he played some games as an offensive player, at No.8, No.4, and now as a centre-back. This tells you a lot about a player.”

Following his impressive performance, Phillips said: “With Pontus Jansson being out injured, the manager asked me to play centre-half along with Cooper and I’m happy to play wherever he wants.”

Jansson is back available for selection after injury, and Bielsa said of the Sweden international: “I’ve seen very few players with this consistency with his weight and height, or who can have the same response as a full-back.”

Elsewhere, the Leeds boss has cooled the expectation surrounding teenage winger Jack Clarke, who has impressed in his brief cameos this season.

There have been calls for 18-year-old to be given a run of matches from the start, but Bielsa says he still has a lot to learn.

He said: “He has many things to learn yet, and he has the chance to look at Pablo Hernandez in training as an example.”