How Jamie Shackleton is taking inspiration from Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United

Jamie Shackleton has admitted that he’s taking inspiration from Kalvin Phillips in his bid to become a first team regular at Elland Road.

The Leeds United midfielder put pen to paper on a four-year contract extension with his hometown club this week, as the Whites continue their preparations for Premier League football.

Shackleton has made 48 appearances for the club since being handed his debut by Marcelo Bielsa in August 2018.

The 20-year-old’s performances over the past two seasons have seen him quickly become a key player from the bench in the Argentine’s matchday squad.

Just last month he helped United secure the Championship title and end a 16-year exile in the Football League away from the top flight.

Now the celebrations have settled down and attention turns to pre-season across the city, Shackleton has his sights firmly on becoming a larger part of the plans in LS11.

In Phillips he has the perfect role model to look up to at Elland Road, and that’s exactly how he is viewing the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’.

“Especially in the last few seasons, he’s grown to become one of the main men in the first team,” Shackleton said of his team-mate.

“He’s a key part of the team and club. Everyone around the city loves him to bits and he’s earned that.

“He’s worked hard to earn that role and position in the team. I’d like to become a regular and get the position like Kalvin has got as a homegrown lad. I’d like to have a key role in how this team plays and works.”

Asked about whether his versatility might work in his favour as he attempts to break through, he added: “The ability to play multiple positions... that’s not something I felt or knew I could do.

“I was a midfielder. I’d played a few positions when I was younger, but to be able to now understand and play in those positions on the pitch has definitely helped my game.

“I do like playing in the centre of midfield - a bit of a free role as a box-to-box player going anywhere on the pitch, getting on the ball and contributing all over.

“But on the other hand I do enjoy playing right-back. It suits the attributes I have got.”

Shackleton joined the Leeds ranks aged just seven after he was picked up playing at Kippax Athletic as a youngster.

Now, though, he is just one of a handful left at the club from the team he started out in.

“It’s cliche but it’s hard work,” he said after signing his new long-term deal.

“Things don’t always go the way you plan them. There was a year when I was here and I played an age group down just due to size and confidence.

“At the time I thought it was the end of the world, so there have been setbacks. It hasn’t just been plain sailing up to getting in the first team.

“There have been those little setbacks along the way and it’s the same for the other lads. It’s hard work and perseverance that has got me into the position I’m in now.

“I had three months out [last season], which was frustrating but I just had to work to get myself back into the squad and able to contribute.

“I’ve racked up a few appearances coming off the bench and with a few starts, but I hadn’t had the goal and to get that ticked off away at Derby was a pretty special moment.

“All the lads have helped contribute last year. In training everyone has given 100 per cent whether they were in the starting team or on the bench.”