Kalvin Phillips reflects on Leeds United team mate Patrick Bamford not making England squad

KALVIN Phillips is "gutted" that Patrick Bamford missed out on a place in the England squad - but hopes his Leeds United team mate will soon join him with the Three Lions.
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Phillips could earn his fifth cap for England in tonight's World Cup qualifier against San Marino at Wembley for which the Whites midfielder is the sole United player in Gareth Southgate's squad.

There were suggestions that Phillips could be joined by at least one of his Whites team mates for the March qualifiers as both United no 9 Bamford and defender Luke Ayling were mooted as possibles for Southgate's squad.

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Many felt Bamford in particular had a strong chance of gaining a first senior call up on the back of scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in his first season back in the Premier League with Leeds

COMMON GOALS: Leeds United team mates Patrick Bamford, left, and Kalvin Phillips embrace after Bamford's strike in December's victory against Newcastle United at Elland Road. Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images.COMMON GOALS: Leeds United team mates Patrick Bamford, left, and Kalvin Phillips embrace after Bamford's strike in December's victory against Newcastle United at Elland Road. Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images.
COMMON GOALS: Leeds United team mates Patrick Bamford, left, and Kalvin Phillips embrace after Bamford's strike in December's victory against Newcastle United at Elland Road. Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images.

Both Ayling and Bamford ultimately missed out and Southgate instead opted to give Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins a first international call up within his forward options.

The decision was met with criticism in some quarters but Bamford responded by netting the opening goal in Friday night's 2-1 win at Fulham and Phillips hopes he will not be the only Leeds player in the England squad for long.

Asked about Bamford missing out on a Three Lions place in the aftermath of victory at Craven Cottage, Phillips told PLP: “Pat’s a great player.

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“He scores quite a few goals and he gets in them positions where he scores goals. It’s credit to him, he gets in them positions whether he scores or not.

“I’m happy for Pat. I’m a little bit gutted he didn’t make the England team but there is always next time!"

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