Phillips: Unclear future

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Tony Mowbray expects to know by next week whether Kevin Phillips will be staying with West Brom.

The Baggies striker, who top scored for the club in their Championship title-winning campaign last season, is attracting interest from local rivals Birmingham and continues to stall on a decision regarding his future.

Mowbray has made it clear that the 34-year-old remains an integral part of his plans heading into a top flight return and held talks with the former England international on Thursday in an attempt to establish whether or not the veteran forward will remain at the Hawthorns.

He may not have the answers he seeks just yet, but the former Hibernian boss is confident that the saga will be resolved over the weekend.

Isolated

"I had a good chat with Kevin and, until something is resolved either way, I don't really want to say too much," Mowbray said.

"We are getting on with our jobs now with the players that are here. I am pretty sure it will be resolved one way or the other in the next day or two."

Phillips is out of contract at present and training away from Albion until his future is sorted out, and Mowbray is hoping that the time in isolation will tempt the striker into agreeing a new deal with the Baggies.

"Kevin is very conscious that clubs are back in training and he is working at home in his own gym. He wants to be back training and playing," he added.