Kalvin Phillips latest after Sheffield United loanee’s career stutters again amid financial deal clarity
Sheffield United remain hopeful of seeing Kalvin Phillips in a red and white shirt before the end of the season, after the Manchester City man underwent a clean-up operation on a knee issue. The former England international picked up the injury in his last outing for the Blades in last month’s derby win over Wednesday.
That game saw Phillips sent off for a late challenge on Svante Ingelsson but he was scheduled to be available for this afternoon’s trip to Birmingham City after his three-match ban was served. But he was absent from the teamsheet alongside Joe Rothwell, who we understand was ill.
With Phillips essentially returning to City’s care after going under the knife it will be his parent club who call the shots over his immediate future, but the player is desperate to play football as he looks to get his career going again.
He is again expected to be absent for next weekend’s clash with Wrexham but could return after the upcoming international break.
Chris Wilder offers Kalvin Phillips update after Man City return
Speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham City, which saw his side play for almost 70 minutes with 10 men, Wilder said of Phillips: “He's had a really minor knee clean-up operation, so we're looking for him to be back after the international break. It was a really innocuous challenge [vs Sheffield Wednesday].
“He's an outstanding character and player but unfortunately he's not going to be right until after the international break. Hopefully we'll see him before the end of the season in a Sheffield United shirt."
Phillips’ loan move to United on deadline day raised eyebrows because of his pedigree and also salary, with suggestions that the Blades are stumping up a large portion of his City wages wide of the mark. One Bramall Lane insider described the move as “the deal of the century” from a United perspective recently and The Star understands that a large portion of what United are paying for Phillips was freed up by the departures of Ehije Ukaki and Christian Nwachukwu in the last transfer window.
”Just to let people know, we're not paying full wage during his recovery,” Wilder added. “The deal that Stephen Bettis [chief executive] is a brilliant for the football club and covers us on so many aspects. Also he passed a medical as well, so we didn’t sign a player who’s injured before all that comes out.”
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