Kalvin Phillips will not have the luxury of a full pre-season after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury.
The Manchester City midfielder, who spent last season on loan at relegated Ipswich Town, is expected to be back fit in August following the operation.
Phillips will be searching for a move away from City this summer – either on a permanent or loan basis – and doesn’t feature in Pep Guardiola’s plans.
And having surgery now offers the 29-year-old the best chance of hitting the ground running pain-free when he returns at the start of the new campaign.
Phillips went on City’s pre-season tour of the United States last summer but would not have been in contention to join the squad at the Club World Cup next month.
The England international will use City’s facilities while undergoing his rehabilitation as he hunts for a switch elsewhere.
Kalvin Phillips (pictured for Ipswich Town) has undergone an operation on an Achilles problem
Manchester City’s James McAtee looks set to leave the club amid interest from the Bundesliga
Phillips signed from Leeds United for £42million three years ago and has a contract running until 2028. After struggling for appearances, he had a six-month spell at West Ham in 2024.
Phillips then featured in 19 Premier League games for Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich, missing 10 matches through injury.
‘A frustrating end to a tough season,’ Phillips said. ‘I just wanted to say thank you Ipswich Town.
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‘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.’
Meanwhile, City academy star James McAtee will link up with England’s Under 21s for the European Championship instead of going to the Club World Cup.
The decision all but signifies the end of McAtee’s time at City, whom he scored seven goals in 26 appearances for this year.
A host of Bundesliga teams, including Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen, are interested in the attacking midfielder.
Nottingham Forest and West Ham have also been admirers of McAtee, with Everton thought to have made checks on the player.
