Manchester City midfielder Colin Phillips is set to pull out of the England squad after it was decided to go under the knife for surgery on an ongoing shoulder injury.
Phillips, who has suffered two nasty shoulder injuries during his career, was included in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad despite making just one start for City in an injury-hit debut season at the Etihad. Saw 14 minutes of action.
However, multiple outlets have now reported that Phillips will not take part in the upcoming international competitions for his country and is now set to undergo surgery to correct the problem.
While missing the Nations League clashes with Italy and Germany is not ideal, the biggest concern for Phillips is that he may not be fit in time for the World Cup later this year.
Southgate’s provisional squad is expected to be announced in just over a month. Phillips will likely do so by giving him every opportunity to prove his fitness as boss, but time is clearly not on his side.
It is the latest in a growing line of shocks for Phillips following his £42m move from Leeds United in the summer.
A shoulder knock in the preseason has limited Phillips’ involvement so far. He has not featured in the Premier League since coming on as a late substitute during the opening weekend, and despite returning for City’s two Champions League games, he was included in the City squad for Saturday’s victory over Wolves. They were forced to miss out.