'It was difficult': Kevin Nolan reveals why Kalvin Phillips' loan to West Ham didn't work out

Kevin Nolan has stated that Kalvin Phillips' lack of minutes ahead of his move to West Ham was just one of the reasons his loan deal never worked out.

He Manchester City The midfielder arrived at the London Stadium on loan in January this year in a bid to revive his career after a difficult time with the Premier League champions.

During his time in east London, Phillips started just three of his ten appearances and earned a Red card in his fourth game for the club, and his performances caused him to miss out on England's squad for Euro 2024.

Having emerged as one of the best defensive midfielders in English football during his successful spell at Leeds, Phillips appears to have lost his way in his career, something former Hammers manager Nolan hopes to rectify.

Talking about the talkSPORT Breakfast Show On his time at West Ham, Nolan said: “We put him in straight away because we thought we should put him in and just let him play and get him going, but it didn’t work out.

“To be fair to him, he’s a lovely lad. We want him to do well, so we were there and got on with it and gave him the support he needed.

“The boss spoke up and said he was going to need support over the next few months and we gave it to him.

“I think he's seeing it and I think what he realized in the first few months was that he missed football a lot and it was difficult to get back to that level, so quickly.

“It's great to see he got a chance last night and hopefully after a good pre-season he'll be able to go because that's what's talked about, but he needs the right support and the right club.”

Everton could be willing to offer money to Phillips an escape route from his nightmare at City, talkSPORT understands, something Nolan says could be a good move for the midfielder.

He was asked about a move to EvertonNolan said: “Sean Dyche is someone who would give him the support he needs.

“He has a very good backroom team and he knows how they use fitness trainers, so being close to them will help him.

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“He will also be at home, which was a big thing when he came to London.

“I had just had a baby, but everyone forgets about all that stuff when we move here, there, and everywhere and our wives and kids go somewhere else while we get them settled or they look for houses.

“Coming to try to get laid when his wife had just had a baby and things like that, it was a tough time for him, both on and off the field.

“So hopefully he will get the opportunity to go to a club where he is fit, ready and at the level of the other players.

“I think he has (a fire in his belly) and it's not for anyone else, but it's kind of like 'I'll show you' and it's for himself more than anything.

“He definitely has the ability and I really hope he gets back to where he was a couple of years ago and I have no doubt that when he does, England will be knocking on his door again.”