Phillips Faces Battle To Win Back Keeper Spot From Taylor

Steve Phillips has revealed he may be forced to leave the club on loan if he fails to win back the keeper's jersey from Rhys Taylor

Phillips, 32, joined The Alex on a permanent deal in the summer after a successful stint on loan at the club. However Phillips needed a double shoulder operation during the close season and has so far yet to feature during Crewe’s 2010/11 campaign. Phillips is set to start for the reserves tomorrow against Liverpool as he looks to build up his fitness.

The experienced keeper told the clubs official website of his desire to win back his place: “I want to stay here and win back my place. I am 100% comited to the club but it won’t be easy as Rhys has come in and done well. I’ve had that competition throughout my career and you need that.”

“In an ideal world I would play two or three more games but I am available now in an emergency, My experience would see me through. I wouldn’t have played as many games as I had if i shied away from things, it’s a challenge I am up for.”

Phillips also spoke of the need to be playing regularly and that he would have no qualms in leaving on loan to secure 1^st team football: “At my age I don’t want to be sitting on the bench for too long. I want to play games and if it transpired that I couldn’t get in then I would sit down with Dario and discuss my options”.

“That decision is a bit off yet because my first objective is to play some games and get back into the 1^st team squad. I am not at the moment and that has to be my first aim”.