Manchester City-loanee Kalvin Phillips returns to Ipswich Town training ahead of Aston Villa clash

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been handed a boost for the visit of Aston Villa on Sunday (2pm) in the return of midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The Manchester City loanee, who has started two Premier League matches for the Blues since his arrival last month, missed Town’s 1-1 draw at Southampton with a ‘small injury in his thigh muscle’.

But the Ipswich manager revealed in his pre-match press conference this afternoon that the 28-year-old returned to training today and could feature against Unai Emery’s side.

“Kalvin has trained with the group today so we’ll make a judgment on how many minutes he’s available for,” he said.

“Nathan (Broadhead) has been training for the last week or so, so we’ve almost got a fully fit squad.

“It’s good (to have a near-fully fit squad). We were short in the summer for different reasons but as the weeks went on, the group has been coming together and getting stronger, in numbers and in every other capacity.

“We have good depth at the moment and everyone's competing to be involved.

“Those that don’t get on the pitch on any given weekend have got a big part to play.”

Phillips’ parent club have lost their holding midfielder Rodri for the rest of the season after he suffered an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury in their battle at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Asked whether the England international has a re-call clause in his contract, McKenna said: “Truthful answer, I’ve not checked.

“I don’t think there is, but I can’t tell you 100 per cent.

“I know the plan from our side, from his side, from Man City’s side is he comes here and has a season with us, gets back to playing regularly and helps the team here, and we’re going to try to help him develop, and build up to a good place in his career.

“That’s 100 per cent the plan and I’m sure that remains the plan on all sides.”