Dan Phillips on returning from injury in 'best shape possible' as midfielder insists young team are driving standards

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Dan Phillips insists St Johnstone’s talented crop of youngsters are playing their part in keeping standards high across the group.A number of players from the club’s successful under-18 team have earned minutes in both friendly and competitive fixtures in recent weeks.Fellow midfielder Ben McCrystal (17) even netted his first senior goal as Saints ran out comfortable 4-0 Viaplay Cup Group A winners against Alloa Athletic on Saturday.Phillips, who also came off the bench at the Indodrill Stadium following a quad issue, said: “It is credit to the youngsters for coming back in pre-season at a very high level.“We have seen that in training and in the friendlies.

They have all been pushing to play.“I was delighted for Ben, he had a good week and is flying right now. He could be starting on Tuesday!“As a young player you should always relish the opportunity to be with the first team - and they definitely are.

It forces everyone to keep standards high.”Phillips had picked up his quad injury ahead of hoping to represent Trinidad and Tobago in the Gold Cup.“It was really disappointing for me because it was a big goal of mine to be out there and be selected,” he told the PA.“Getting injured just before the tournament was hard to take but I have just put all my energy and focus into getting fit for the season ahead.“The gaffer was good in terms of giving me a little bit of time off and then I came back to really focus on my rehab, which has been going well.“I just tried to make sure I came back in the best shape possible, despite the fact I was injured.“It was about doing as much as I could personally.

My diet, my sleep and working hard both when I’m at club and away from it.“I had been at the last two games and, when you are