Sam Allardyce: Matt Phillips performing exceptionally for West Brom

The winger was hit hard after contracting Covid-19 back in January with the virus having a huge physical impact on the 30-year-old.

But Phillips, who has been in out and out of Albion’s team over last 12 months, battled his way back to form and fitness.

And he has gone on to shine under Allardyce with the forward a big reason why performances have improved so significantly over the last few months.

“He brings dedication,” Allardyce said when asked what Phillips brings to his team.

“He experienced a situation with Covid but his positive attitude has helped him overcome that.

“He has taken a positive attitude by the fact he has fought off the effects it was having on him, effects that are going to concern you when you are a footballer.

“A top level sports professional, who has to get to a top level of fitness, needs a lot of dedication and a lot of focus to do it.

“That is exactly what he has done.

“He has fought it (Covid-19) physically and he has fought it mentally and that attitude has put him in a position where he is performing exceptionally well in my opinion.”

Former Albion boss Tony Pulis previously said he feels Phillips sometimes needs to have more belief in his ability.

But Allardyce believes the forward is now playing with a lot of confidence.

“I think his confidence is high and that has been shown by his consistent performances,” he continued.

“We all strive for consistency and he has performed at a consistent level.

“That is because of the hard work he has put in behind the scenes.

“After Covid, his fitness suffered like anybody’s would.

“That feeling of fatigue and jadedness is not something that sat comfortably with him.

“But I’ve seen him put on the training ground doing extra work to make sure he got back to the level. And that level, at the moment, is very good.”