Phillips reveals ankle anguish

Kevin Phillips admits he will never completely recover from the ankle problem that has dogged him for the past two months as he prepares to make his first-team comeback in Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Port Vale.

The 32-year-old striker conceded that he will have to “manage” the problem, which has sidelined him since the Carling Cup exit at Doncaster, for the remainder of his career.

Phillips has been on target three times in two reserve-team appearances and is expected to be on the bench for the visit of the Potteries club.

David O’Leary’s £750,000 (€1.1m) summer capture from Southampton said: “I can’t do any more with the ankle. I’ve worked hard in training and I’ve played two reserve games now.

“The only way to get more match fit now is to get back involved in the first team and hopefully that will be the case this weekend in the FA Cup.

“There were stages when the ankle wasn’t getting better and it’s one of those where you wonder when is it going to get better? Is it going to take longer and longer?

“It’s still not 100% and it’s one of those I’m going to have to manage from now until the time I retire.

“It’s one of those things that’s going to aggravate me every now and then. But if I can keep working on it and keep making it stronger, then hopefully I’ll have no problems.”

Phillips was also sidelined with a calf problem shortly after joining Villa, but he is determined to make an impact in the final section of the season.

He said: “It has been a frustrating time but I am determined to try to make an impact in the remaining games. There is still some way to go this season.”