Kevin Phillips expected not to return

Tony Mowbray has suggested what we all suspected that Kevin Phillips will not be wearing blue and white stripes next year.

Phillips was offered a two year contract with the second year dependent upon performances and games played in year one. This apparently is not good enough for Kevin.

Speaking on the official club website Mowbray said:

'I spoke to Kevin and he`s left it in the hands of his advisers, who are out of the country.

I`m sure he would like to stay here but at this moment I would suggest it`s unlikely he`ll stay.

Unfortunately his preferred choice would be to stay here but if there is a stumbling block that we can`t overcome then so be it.

It`s about the terms of the contract.

It`s a strong belief of mine that when a player reaches 35 it`s very difficult to start giving out two year contracts, however well they`ve done.

I believe that if Kevin wants to stay he should back his ability and earn his second year but I fully respect Kevin. To be fair, it's not a big task based on the contract that was put in front of him.

I would never get into any open disagreement with him. He`s a top man and if he decides to take the other option then good luck to him.

We`d love to see him back on the training ground but he`s out of contract so it`s out of our hands now.'

From what Tony Mowbray has said it looks like Phillips either has a lack of faith in his ability to cut it at the top level or a lack of faith in his own continued fitness.

Last season Phillips suffered a horrendous knee injury which he admitted afterwards he thought had ended his career. Phillips was tentative in a few games on his return and in one game it looked as if the injury had flared up again. All players are only ever one bad tackle away from never playing again but in Kevin's case you feel that he is one tackle, twist or awkward fall away from retirement.

It appears that the majority of fans are backing the club on their stance over Phillips' contract. Of course they would love to see him play as a Baggie again but not at any expense.

Thank you Kevin for all the good times and if you choose to sign on again we will welcome you back with open arms but if you do decide that your future lies elsewhere then good luck.

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