Rovers exit saddens Crewe keeper

On-loan goalkeeper Steve Phillips believes his Bristol Rovers career is over after joining Crewe.

The 31-year-old, who went on the Rovers transfer list in the summer, has been told he can play for Crewe against York in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Phillips told BBC Radio Stoke: "Them letting me play in the FA Cup tells me that I'll never play for them again.

"It's disappointing. I don't know what I've done wrong, it's certainly not down to form. This is a fresh start."

He added: "I'm looking forward to enjoying the next two months at Crewe and come Christmas, when the loan deal finishes, at least I'll have been in the shop window.

"That's the main reason why I'm out on loan and not twiddling my thumbs back in Bristol. I want to play football and it's an opportunity for me to show what I can do."

Phillips, who has just completed a two-month loan spell with Shrewsbury Town, has played 165 games for Rovers.

He helped them to promotion from League Two in 2007 via the play-offs, as well as a Johnstone's Paint Trophy final in the same year and the last eight of the FA Cup in 2008.

"Getting left out of any team should hurt, and if you don't then you're in the wrong game," he said.

"I've played my part in their progress over the past three seasons, and to get left out does hurt."

Phillips will stay on loan at the Alexandra Stadium until January and will challenge Adam Legzdins and Steve Collis for the number one jersey.

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