ARCHIE'S AIMING FOR THE PREM

Teen star hungry to follow in Phillips' footsteps

- Ross Heppenstall

ARCHIE Gray dreams of Phillips Kalvin Leeds United bid to return to the Premier League.

Leeds-born Phillips was a pivotal figwhen Whites ure the reached the top flight under Marcelo admits he emulating as Bielsa 16-year after a absence 32Re sky be W in 2020.

Now fellow academy graduate Gray is taking centre stage at Elland Road. The versatile 17-year-old, who made his debut under Daniel Farke in this season's Championship opener at home to Cardiff, says Phillips' success is a source of inspiration.

Gray, who claimed his first assist during last weekend's 3-2 home win over Middlesbrough, said: "I have the same dream that Kalvin had.

We're both boyhood Leeds fans who have come through the academy and I want to do it as much as he did it, if not more.

"It's a dream to play with Leeds at the top level and hopefully we can get there.

We need more away wins as well and to keep ticking off the home wins, but obviously promotion is the main goal." While Phillips thrived under Bielsa and became an England regular in Gareth Southgate's team, Gray similarly benefited from the legendary Argentinian.

Bielsa brought Gray - then just 15 into the first-team squad two years ago while he was studying for his GCSES.