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David Byrom

Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips earns second successive England call-up

Kalvin Phillips has once again been included in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming international break.

The Leeds United midfielder earned a maiden call-up last month and made his debut in the goalless draw with Denmark.

Phillips will now have three chances to add to his single cap, with a trio of fixtures scheduled in the space of a week.

First off, England host Wales in a friendly before Nations League games against Belgium and Denmark.

Phillips will join up with the England squad following this weekend's Premier League matches.

The 24-year-old has featured in every minute of Leeds' three Premier League fixtures so far this season and has clearly impressed England boss Southgate.

Speaking after his first England call-up, Phillips admitted it was a strange position to find himself in.

“It’s surreal. I never thought I would be in this position – especially without kicking a ball in the Premier League,” Phillips said.

“It’s always been my ambition to maybe play for my country but I never thought I deserved to be there or I need to be there. Or even that I should be getting picked.

“I’m very grateful to the manager and the staff for the decision to bring me in. I’m also very grateful to my team-mates as well at Leeds who have helped me.”

He added: “I didn’t expect the call-up at all.

“My agent rang me the night before Gareth Southgate was announcing the squad and he just said there’s someone who wants to ring you in the morning.

“He didn’t tell me who it was, I couldn’t sleep – I was up all night.

“When I was on the way into training I got a phone call and I didn’t know who it was because I didn’t have his number.

“So I answered and said: ‘Hello?’

“The reply said: ‘Hi, it’s Gareth Southgate...’

“I just went quiet for five seconds. He was just asking me how I was and he told me that he wanted to include me in the squad.

“Obviously I was over the moon and didn’t really know what to say. As soon as I put the phone down I was just screaming at the top of my voice."

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