Chris Wilder reveals Sheffield United, Kalvin Phillips blow - Man City wages truth emerges | OneFootball

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has revealed that the Blades are not paying Kalvin Phillips' full wages during his injury recovery

Sheffield United loan signing Kalvin Phillips has not featured for the Blades since their 2-1 victory over local rivals Sheffield Wednesday last month.

Phillips was sent off at Bramall Lane that afternoon, and subsequently served a three-match suspension.

However, the midfielder has been unable to make his return due to a knee injury, while Sheffield United have managed just one win in their last five attempts.

The Blades hoped to get back to winning ways following Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Norwich City, but instead drew 1-1 with Birmingham City on Saturday.

Chris Wilder's men will be relatively pleased with their draw at St Andrew's, though, as Femi Seriki was sent off when the score was still 0-0.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder opens up on Kalvin Phillips' wages as he provides an injury update

Phillips has endured a lack of game time with his parent club, Manchester City, and had hoped to get his career back on track by joining the Blades on loan.

The former Leeds United man endured underwhelming loan spells with both Ipswich Town and West Ham United in each of the last two Premier League seasons.

Therefore, the knee injury he has suffered while playing for the Blades is a major disappointment for the England international.

Discussing Phillips' setback, Wilder told the Sheffield Star: "He's had a really minor knee clean-up operation, so we're looking for him to be back after the international break. It was a really innocuous challenge (vs Sheffield Wednesday).

"He's an outstanding character and player, but unfortunately, he's not going to be right until after the international break. Hopefully we'll see him before the end of the season in a Sheffield United shirt.

"Just to let people know, we're not paying full wage during his recovery. The deal that Stephen Bettis (chief executive made) is brilliant for the football club and covers us on so many aspects.

"Also, he passed a medical as well, so we didn’t sign a player who’s injured before all that comes out."

The international break includes the last weekend of the month, so Wilder's comments indicate that the very earliest Phillips could return for the Blades is Easter weekend.

Wilder's men host Swansea City on Good Friday before heading to Bristol City on Easter Monday, while Phillips will hope to enjoy as much game time as possible before the season ends in early May.

Kalvin Phillips endures yet another setback amid declining career

The former Leeds man was previously seen as one of England's best midfielders when he excelled for the Whites in the Premier League, having previously won the Championship title with the Elland Road outfit.

Phillips was a key man for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions side who reached the final of the 2021 European Championship, ultimately losing to Italy on penalties.

However, the 31-cap England international has made just 31 appearances for Man City since moving to the North West from Elland Road back in 2022.

He had hoped to get his career back on track when he joined West Ham on loan in 2024, but instead struggled for the Hammers, making just 10 outings.

Phillips was subsequently unable to prevent Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League to the Championship last term.

His current injury setback with Sheffield United will go down as yet another unfortunate event in Phillips' career, which has not delivered the potential it once had.