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Hakan Hayrettin says Michael Phillips was unfit and overweight when he reported for pre-season training at Maidstone.
The midfielder is still playing catch-up, according to Stones boss Hayrettin, who has explained Phillips’ absence as fans begin to question why he hasn’t been playing.
He’s yet to start a game since rejoining the club from Wealdstone over the summer and hasn’t even made the bench in recent weeks.
“It’s a lack of fitness, and he knows that, there’s no grey areas there,” said Hayrettin, whose side go to Dulwich Hamlet in National South tonight.
“The one thing you know from me is I’m not going to tell you anything that isn’t true. He had to get fit.
“He thought he was fit but he came here overweight, unfit and he got injured. I wasn’t expecting that.
“He had to get fit and he’s still in the process of doing that.
“I don’t think there’s anything he can tell me other than he knows what I’m saying is right.
“He’s a good player and it might be the only time we get the best out of him is by playing him.”
Phillips’ chances of featuring at Dulwich increased after Maidstone suffered a third straight defeat at the weekend.
He’s one of several players with claims to be involved at Champion Hill after the 2-0 defeat by Dorking.
Hayrettin said: “I’ve got to make a decision. Do I stick with the same players or do I make changes?
“If I was the players not in the team I’d be thinking, ‘Hold on, the manager’s got to make some decisions here.’
“They will be knocking on my door asking when they’re going to get a chance and they’re right to do that.
“Michael Phillips, Tushaun Walters, Jermaine McGlashan, Dominic Odusanya, these people are now going to be saying to me, ‘Give us a game.’”
There should be a new face in the side with Hayrettin sealing a one-month loan deal for Aldershot defender George Fowler.
“He’s someone I’ve liked, he’s played over 100 games in the Conference National and I’m sure he’s going to be an asset to us,” said the Stones boss.
Fowler, 23, is in his fifth season at the Rec having joined the Shots from Ipswich Town.
