Phillips injury boost for Chiefs

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has admitted there is a possibility that James Phillips could be given game time at Championship side Plymouth Albion in a bid to get him back to full fitness.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since late September after sustaining a serious knee injury in the home win over Saracens, but he has since worked tirelessly with the club's medical and rehabilitation staff to get back to full fitness.

Months of intensive, behind-the-scenes work has got the former Bristol forward back up and running and now Baxter is hoping the club's link with Albion will allow the player to get some much-needed minutes under his belt.

"The injury situation is looking pretty good," admitted Baxter. "Brett Sturgess, Chris Whitehead, James Hanks and Dave Ewers are all back in full training, whilst the likes of Dean Mumm, Jason Shoemark and Hoani Tui - guys who missed the last Premiership round - are also up and running.

"At the same time, James Phillips is pretty much there now having been out for a long time and we may get him some game time away from the club. We completed a loan deal with Plymouth for him before the deadline and he's been down there training with them this week, so there is a possibility he may get some game time down the line if they want him to play. The key thing is he's close to playing again, so that's fantastic. With any long-term injury it's always great to see the player back playing again."