Rise of loanee defender has echoes of Ryan Shawcross' story at City

THE first thing that will strike any scout about Ashley Phillips is his size.

- Peter Smith

The centre-back is only 19, but he pretty much has to duck to walk under a goalpost. In terms of physical stature and the way he holds himself, he looks like Virgil van Dijk.

He doesn’t quite play like Van Dijk, at least not yet, but he has benefited a lot from getting regular game time with Stoke City this season on a long-term loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

The biggest thing in his development - and the biggest thing still to come - has probably been embracing defensive duties and seizing responsibility. In time, he will be able to dominate games.

The centre-half has good positioning, getting in the right places to intercept crosses and make blocks, and he relished the task he faced in a Championship six-pointer at Cardiff on Saturday.

It was an afternoon when the back line was prepared to face a barrage of long-range pot shots and had to be ready and willing to throw themselves in the way.

He was in the right place at the right time to make a difference at the other end too, with a helping hand, or forearm, in setting up the crucial late winner that helped pull the Potters away from the relegation zone.