Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan believes Marcelo Bielsa must keep Kalvin Phillips fit for the rest of the season if his side are to secure promotion.
Goals from Tyler Roberts (2), Luke Ayling and Pablo Hernandez were enough to hand the Whites a 4-0 win over Hull on Saturday, their fourth successive victory without conceding a goal.
The victory kept the Elland Road club right in the hunt for automatic promotion to the Premier League, with the win keeping them in second place, five points ahead of Fulham in third.
And Whelan, who was impressed by Phillips’ performance at the KCOM Stadium, believes it is vital the Academy graduate stays fit between now and the end of the campaign.
“He has that more natural ability in that area,” Whelan told Football Insider .
“I do not like seeing Ben White in that area. To have Kalvin back in there gives more belief to everybody else that he is in that position.
“We saw Ayling and Dallas getting forward and that is what he brings – security. You know you can get forward because Kalvin is sitting there.
“He is very calm, his ball distribution is fantastic and he mops up everything that comes his way. Pace, power and a good football brain.
“Great to have him back and it is vital that we keep him fit.”
