West Brom won't rush Matt Phillips back

The 26-year-old was named in Gordon Strachan’s Scotland squad for this international break but had to pull out because his hamstring problem persisted.

It was hoped the extended period without a game would give him time to recover but Phillips still faces a late fitness test ahead of this weekend’s trip to Manchester United.

Although the winger is now training on the grass, Albion’s medical team are especially careful with muscle injuries on players with as much power and pace as the former Queens Park Rangers man.

And the Baggies have no plans to rush Phillips back into action with James McClean in imperious form against Arsenal and James Morrison returning to action for Scotland.

They do not want a recurrence of what happened earlier this season, when Jonny Evans returned early from a calf injury and then hobbled off away at Hull with the same problem.

Head coach Tony Pulis had initially hoped Phillips would be fit for the trip to Goodison Park over a fortnight ago, but the summer signing has now missed the last four games.

“It's disappointing really because we had a really good run when Matty, Mozza and Chadli were in the side,” said first team coach Gerry Francis. “Between them those three added you 15 more goals which makes a big difference.

“But it's a squad game, and obviously the others came in the other weekend and gave us a really good result.”

One of those players was Hal Robson-Kanu, who scored against Arsenal from the bench and could now be in line for a start against United.

“Hal's done very well,” said Francis. “He's a very hard-working player, strong, holds it up.

“I'm delighted he's here as part of the squad.

“Salomon's had some decent runs and played very well, but we all have our good days and bad days. “You have to have players that can come in and keep the team strong. If you haven't got players like that coming in it's easy to drop away.

“Hal's been a very good signing and he's worked very hard to get his chance.

“He came on and helped change the game against Arsenal. Obviously he's going to be in Tony's thoughts.

“It's a good problem for him in terms of having two players that you can pick from.”

Sam Field played 90 minutes for England U19s yesterday in a 5-1 victory over Belarus. The Young Lions have qualified for this summer’s European U19 Finals in Georgia.