Scrum-half Mike Phillips started both June Tests for Wales in New Zealand

Ospreys head coach Sean Holley says they will continue to monitor the knee injury that scrum-half Mike Phillips suffered on Wales' summer tour.

At this stage no operation is scheduled for the British and Irish Lion and Holley is confident that Phillips will be ready for the start of the season.

"He picked up a bit of a niggle on the tour of New Zealand," Holley said.

"But that's in the hands of the medical staff at the moment. Mike's in full training with us."

Holley confirmed that Phillips will play no part in Saturday's final pre-season game at home to Gloucester, but expected the scrum-half to be available for their televised Magners League opener away to Ulster on Friday, 3 September.

"I think there'll be various investigations and opinions going on but for now he's training as part of his pre-season and we'll just have to wait and see what happens," Holley added.

"He won't be involved on the weekend but that's purely because of the stage of his pre-season but he should be available for the Ulster game and beyond."

The Ospreys are already without Wales captain Ryan Jones for the start of their title defence in Ravenhill, with the back-row suffering from his own knee problem picked up in New Zealand.

[Gavin Henson] is on to other things and we have to get on with other things at the moment, so no news there Ospreys head coach Sean Holley

Wales centre James Hook will not be back in action until October after shoulder surgery, back-row Tom Smith is out until the end of November, while prop Duncan Jones is still working his way back to fitness.

Phillips himself is confident that he will be ready once it is time for the competitive rugby to commence: "I'm doing all the training and stuff... I did pick up a little knock in New Zealand but the knee's fine so hopefully when asked to play I'll be fully fit and raring to go."

Holley confirmed that Wales and Lions centre Gavin Henson remains on indefinite unpaid leave from the Ospreys.

"I understand entirely the interest with Gavin," Holley said. "It's status quo as far as I'm concerned.

"Gav and I have had a good relationship and it's just he's on to other things and we have to get on with other things at the moment, so no news there."

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