Phillips Returns to full training.

Last updated : 04 December 2007 By Wba-mad Editor
Kevin Phillips today handed manager Tony Mowbray an early Christmas present after his return to full training. After being sidelined for a month damaging a knee during the infamous Sheffield Wednesday game in early November, the striker's return is a welcome one with a hectic December on the horizon.

Albion hope to have both Phillips and Ishmael Miller back on the pitch before Christmas, however neither players are being rushed back to action.

"Kevin is going to train with us today and basically that's where we are," assistant manager Mark Venus revealed.

"We haven't seen anything of him for a few weeks since his injury apart from occasionally doing a bit of training on the side of the pitch.

"But with all players it's about taking things a day at a time. He's not near to playing or anything like that. He will just take part in training and we'll see how it goes from there.

"I don't like to put timespans on footballers because it gives false hopes and puts pressure on them.

"I don't see the value of giving a time. We don't really put a time on anything, because from past experience there is no point really."

Although it was first feared the loss of both Phillips and Miller would see the goals dry up for Albion, Roman Bednar's brace at Plymouth and an own-goal against Crystal Palace have seen the Baggies pick up four points from a possible six since the injury to Miller against Wolves.