Marcelo Bielsa confirms which Leeds player will replace Kalvin Phillips against Aston Villa

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Marcelo Bielsa has insisted that it is too soon to establish how long Leeds United will be without Kalvin Phillips for, and confirmed that Pascal Struijk will move into his role for Friday’s clash with Aston Villa, in comments reported by Leeds Live.

The Whites were dealt a huge blow ahead of their trip to Villa Park. Phillips took a nasty fall after being fouled during the latter stages of their defeat to Wolves on Monday.

The club reported on their official website on Tuesday that Phillips is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks. That would rule the 24-year-old out of the next international break, as well as up to five Leeds fixtures.

But just as that news was sinking in for many of the Elland Road faithful, Bielsa insisted that the timeframe may be off. He also shared who will play in Phillips’s role against Villa.

“I didn’t have the definitive amount of time that Phillips was going to be out for,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live. “I understand that the information is incorrect. It’s not defined how long he will be out for. It could be more or it could be less. The one who will play in his place will be Pascal.”

TBR View: Bielsa’s comments also provide Leeds fans with boost

Bielsa’s comments on Phillips may worry some. They will now be nervously waiting to see if his absence lasts longer than six weeks.

But there is also some good news seemingly hidden amongst his comments.

While Phillips is now sidelined, it was Struijk who was taken off against Wolves. The Dutchman appeared to be struggling with a knock seemingly picked up when he slipped in the build-up to Raul Jimenez’s winner.

With Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Phillips currently out, the last thing Leeds fans needed was for Struijk’s knock to keep him out for any period.

But with Bielsa confirming that the 21-year-old will move into Phillips’s role on Friday, it would appear that Struijk is going to be fit.