England boss Gareth Southgate has already hinted at his plans for Kalvin Phillips ahead of England's European Championship squad announcement.
The Three Lions boss will confirm his 26-man squad for this summer's competition on Tuesday, June 1, with Phillips expected to be called up.
The Leeds United star was named in Southgate's provisional 33-man party last week, which will now be whittled down by seven.
Southgate extended his squad to 33 to check on the fitness of several key players, including Jordan Henderson, who has missed the last three months of action.
In his absence, Phillips has started for England alongside Declan Rice in a two-man pivot, which bodes well for the upcoming squad announcement.
As does Southgate's comments during the last international break, where the England boss admitted the bulk of that squad would go to the Euros.
“The basis of this squad is the squad that we picked in March," he said.
"We did not see a reason to change those positions from those qualifiers in March."
For Phillips to drop from a starter to out of the squad seems incredibly unlikely, boosting his hopes of becoming the first Leeds player to play for England at a major tournament since 2002.
Southgate named Kalvin Phillips as one of England's most impressive players in their 5-0 win over San Marino during the latest international break too.
“I thought there were lots of good individual performances," he told ITV Sport.
"We said there was high individual motivation, as well as the team, and it would be difficult to pick one out. I thought the midfield players moved the ball well, I thought Kalvin Phillips, I was really pleased for him.
"He’s used the ball well, but his athleticism around the pitch was good.
"Mason (Mount) in the first half was excellent, set the tone. It’s good to see Jesse (Lingard) looking like he’s enjoying his football again.”
