Birmingham City Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Chris Hughton

• Ground:St Andrew's
• Capacity:30,016

Phillips close to Blues return

06 Sep 2010 - 11:52:25

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Veteran Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips has set his sights on a return to action in the derby clash with former club West Bromwich Albion later this month.

The 37-year-old has not featured for the Blues so far this season, having suffered a torn thigh muscle in a pre-season friendly against Real Mallorca.

Phillips told the Birmingham Mail: "The injury is fine. I'm not getting any more pain or symptoms.

"It's just now trying to catch up on fitness, trying to tick all the boxes with the medical staff.

"We're not far away. I'd say if you're going to ask me when I will be ready, Liverpool on Sunday is probably a bit too soon. I will need at least a week's training with the lads.

"So I'm hoping to be involved in some capacity in the West Brom game.

"The first two weeks after Mallorca, I was a nightmare. I hate being injured, especially when you've just completed pre-season.

"I believe I reported back as fit as anyone, as fit as I could have been. And then to get injured a week before the season started.

"I'm 37 now, I've already done one pre-season and I'm just in the middle of another one - I don't need two pre-seasons at my age."