• Midfielder joined Blues from Leeds
• Had to undergo shoulder surgery
• Making a timely return to action

WHAT HAPPENED? It appeared at one stage as though an injury nightmare would dash the international dreams of a hard-working midfielder as the countdown continues to FIFA’s flagship event in Qatar. Phillips underwent shoulder surgery in September and has not figured at club level since, but the 26-year-old is close to making a full recovery and may yet force his way into Gareth Southgate’s 26-man party heading to the Middle East.

WHAT THEY SAID: Phillips has told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The shoulder’s perfectly fine now. I have gone through a seven-week process of recovering as fast as I possibly can for the World Cup. Everything is going great. I’ve obviously not done it for quite a long time now but I’ve kept my fitness up and I’d like to think I could play 90 minutes.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Pressed further on whether he feels ready to be involved with England, having starred for the Three Lions during their run to the final of Euro 2020, Phillips added: “[Following surgery] I spoke to Gareth and told him about my situation. I said I understood if he didn’t select me but he reassured me that ‘as long as you’re fit enough and you prove you’re progressing well, there’s always a chance you will be called up’. I’ve done everything in my power to be as fit as possible and hopefully I will be involved.”

IN THREE PHOTOS:

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WHAT NEXT? Phillips is set to be involved in City’s Carabao Cup third-round clash with Chelsea on Wednesday, with an opportunity there for him to catch the eye in what will be just a fourth outing for the reigning Premier League champions following a £45 million ($52m) summer transfer from Leeds.