Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is reportedly facing at least two months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury.
The 29-year-old spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Ipswich Town after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium under manager Pep Guardiola.
Phillips started 14 of his 19 Premier League games for the Tractor Boys, but he was unable to help the club avoid an immediate relegation back to the Championship as Kieran McKenna's side finished in 19th place.
The England international was left out of Ipswich's final three top-flight fixtures due to injury and the Daily Mail claims that he has now gone under the knife for an Achilles issue.
Phillips is expected to be back fit in August, meaning that he will not benefit from having a full pre-season under his belt ahead of the start of next season.
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Phillips expected to leave Man City this summer
It is widely expected that Phillips and Man City will part ways this summer, but it remains to be seen whether the midfielder's exit will be another loan or a permanent one.
Phillips was part of Guardiola's squad on Man City's pre-season tour of the United States last summer, but he was not expected to link back up with the Citizens ahead of next month's FIFA Club World Cup campaign, irrespective of his latest injury setback.
It is understood that Phillips will use Man City's facilities during his rehabilitation programme as he continues to search for a new club.
Reflecting on his time at Ipswich, Phillips posted on social media: "A frustrating end to a tough season. I just wanted to say thank you Ipswich Town.
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Phillips bids farewell to Ipswich as Man City future remains unclear
"Thank you to the fans for making me and my family feel so loved after a difficult two years. Thank you to the staff and players, an unbelievable group that I loved being around every day.
"And a special thanks to the manager, a great manager but also a great person, who's helped me on and off the pitch in so many ways. He made me believe in myself again.
"I have no doubt Ipswich will be back where they belong very soon and I wish everyone at the club all the best."
Phillips was signed by Man City from boyhood club Leeds United for £42m in the summer of 2023 and a return to Elland Road has been mooted, but as things stand, it remans unclear as to which clubs, if any, hold a serious interest in the midfielder.
Oliver Thomas
