Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has revealed he's exchanging shirts with manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Phillips wants to repay his manager for the defining role he's played in his career by ­handing him one back bearing a Three Lions crest.

“I'm giving it to the manager, ­Marcelo," said Phillips, when asked what he plans to do with the shirt he hopes to wear on his England debut.

“He gave me one of his when I was named in the squad, so I thought I'd give him a trade.

“Marcelo was pulling his hair out when I was called up because he wanted us all to be preparing for the first game of the season at Liverpool.

"But then he gave me one of his old playing shirts – as well as a written message to my family.

"It was a very nice touch. I'm going to ask him to sign the shirt and will frame the note.

“It says that my hard work has paid off – but it doesn't stop here. He said that he's very happy for me, my grandma, my mum and even my girlfriend as well."

An illustration of the esteem that Bielsa holds Phillips is that the Argentine picked out an old red and black polo shirt from his time with Newell's Old Boys to congratulate him on his ­elevation to the England fold.

The club from Rosario is Bielsa's first love, having supported them as a boy, played for them as a man and coached them to two titles.