Marcelo Bielsa prepared to resolve Leeds United's absences but Kalvin Phillips return subject to evolution from injury

WHITES head coach Marcelo Bielsa says Leeds United are "prepared" to resolve the absences of their injured players but cannot say for certain when Kalvin Phillips will return.
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England international midfielder Phillips became United's latest casualty when picking up a calf injury towards the latter stages of the 2-0 victory at home to Crystal Palace last Monday night.

The midfielder was subsequently forced to miss Sunday's Premier League clash at Arsenal in which Pascal Struijk stepped in to the holding midfield role as part of a positional reshuffle.

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Struijk stepped up from centre-back as Luke Ayling moved over to the heart of defence next to captain Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton instead started at right back.

ABSENTEES: For Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, right, pictured during Sunday's 4-2 defeat at Arsenal. Photo by Adam Davy - Pool/Getty Images.ABSENTEES: For Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, right, pictured during Sunday's 4-2 defeat at Arsenal. Photo by Adam Davy - Pool/Getty Images.
ABSENTEES: For Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, right, pictured during Sunday's 4-2 defeat at Arsenal. Photo by Adam Davy - Pool/Getty Images.

Bielsa was already without defenders Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi even before Phillips became injured, in addition to attacking options Rodrigo and Ian Poveda who are also sidelined along with longer term absentee Adam Forshaw.

Berardi is now back in training yet United's head coach then revealed after Sunday's 4-2 defeat at Arsenal that Mateusz Klich had started Sunday's clash at the Emirates despite not being fully fit and having a hip issue.

Including Klich and Berardi, it means that eight players currently have injury issues but Bielsa says his side are positioned to resolve the key absences though is unsure when Phillips will return.

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"The absences of Kalvin, Koch, Llorente, Poveda, Moreno, we are prepared to resolve them," said Bielsa.

"I insist that Pascal, Ayling and Shackleton resolved well with these absences.

"I have to mention that Klich played whilst not being at 100 per cent. It was an act of generosity from his part.

"It was another difficulty we had to endure throughout the first half. I value a lot that he sacrificed himself to be able to start this game."

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Asked when he expected Phillips to be available and what the problem with Klich was, Bielsa said: "Phillips' return is subject to his evolution from his injury. And Klich had a slight problem in his hip."

Sunday's defeat saw Leeds drop to 11th place but the Whites are still 14 points clear of the drozpone with 15 games left.

United are back in action on Friday night at 12th-placed Wolves.

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Thank you Laura Collins