Scrum-half Mike Phillips has recently returned to action after injury

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has signed a new deal with the Ospreys that will see him remain with the Welsh region until at least 2014.

The British and Irish Lions star, 27, arrived at the Liberty Stadium from Cardiff Blues for the 2007-8 season.

Big-spending French and English clubs were keen to entice Phillips away.

"I've really enjoyed my time as an Osprey over the last three seasons and I'm pleased that I've been able to agree a new contract," Phillips said.

"I've got a lot of good friends here and the way that we are improving year-on-year there's a lot to look forward to, the future is very bright for us... I don't see that there's a need for me, or anybody, to want to go anywhere else.

"With my future sorted it means that I can just concentrate now on getting myself up to speed for some of the big games that we've got coming up.

"We have ambitions to be among the best sides in Europe, we aren't there yet but we are heading in the right direction.

"With the set-up here, everything is in place to go all the way and I'm excited about the future for the Ospreys.

"There's a lot of expectations on us, but that's something that we just have to live with.

"We've got a good squad with real quality throughout and some talented youngsters coming through."

Capped 38 times by Wales and three times by the Lions, Phillips has recently returned from an injury lay-off.

He suffered ligament damage in the win over Clermont Auvergne at the Liberty Stadium in October.

606: DEBATE Has Mike Phillips made the right choice?

Phillips came off the bench in the recent Magners League game against Connacht before returning to the starting line-up at Murrayfield against Edinburgh on Sunday.

The scrum-half suffered a dead leg in the 33-17 loss against the Scottish side, but is expected to be fit for Wales in Saturday's RBS Six Nations clash in Ireland.

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