Fulham could capitalise on uncertainty surrounding Kalvin Phillips’ Manchester City future by signing him on loan in January, according to the i.

The former Leeds midfielder is desperate to get first-team football in time to stake a claim to be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s European Championships. The combative midfielder has made only ten appearances under Pep Guardiola this term, but a proposed move to Juventus this month has stalled as head coach Max Allegri believes the 28 year-old doesn’t fit his system. Newcastle are, according to the I’s northern football correspondent Mark Douglas, looking to avoid ‘knee-jerk signings in January’ despite their poor run of form, which leaves Fulham and Crystal Palace closely monitoring the midfielder’s availability.

Marco Silva has played skipper Tom Cairney alongside Joao Palhinha in central midfield last month and the 32 year-old signed a twelve-month contract extension this morning. Fulham are the frontrunners in the race to sign coveted midfielder Andre, but Philips would provide ball-winning heft in the engine room. City are expected to demand a £5m loan fee with the England international not likely to feature in Guardiola’s starting line-up for the remainder of this season.