Former Leeds United midfielder Danny Pugh believes that Pablo Hernandez and Kalvin Phillips are the Whites' two most important players, ahead of the Championship play-off semi-final second leg with Derby County.

Both players have been highly-influential for the Whites in the Championship this season and could have an important role to play in the coming weeks, as the team target a return to the Premier League.

Leeds face Derby in the second leg of their play-off semi-final at Elland Road on Wednesday night and have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, thanks to Kemar Roofe's second-half strike.

Hernandez has scored twelve goals and provided twelve assist for his teammates, in 39 Championship appearances for the Whites this season.

Phillips has also had an outstanding season for Leeds, after being transformed into a defensive midfielder under the guidance of head coach Marcelo Bielsa, and has scored one goal in 42 Championship appearances.

Former Leeds midfielder Pugh believes that both players will have an important role to play in the second leg against Derby and potentially the play-off final at Wembley should Leeds make it there.

“Hernandez is obviously a big player with the goals and assists he brings,” Pugh told Football FanCast.

“But one player I’ve been massively impressed with is Phillips, he was just a young lad when I was there, and he has come on leaps and bounds recently. The work he does in midfield will be vital for them.”

The Verdict:

Pugh is spot on here. Both Hernandez and Phillips have been outstanding for Leeds in the Championship this season and have been instrumental to the team's success so far.

Both players will have an important role to play in the second leg against Derby and in the play-off final should Leeds make it there.