Sunderland face a tug-of-war with West Brom for Kevin Phillips after Aston Villa gave both clubs permission to talk to the striker.

Sunderland and West Brom have had undisclosed bids for the 33-year-old striker accepted by Villa.

 

West Brom boss Bryan Robson said: "It's up to me to convince Kevin the best step for him is to come to West Brom."

 

Black Cats boss Niall Quinn admitted his former strike partner was one of five players he has tabled bids for.

 

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has not given hope of Phillips staying at Villa.

 

He said: "I'm in no hurry to send Kevin Phillips out of the door and he will be involved in the game against Reading (on Wednesday).

 

"Kevin would like to play regularly but I'm leaving it up to him. If he desperately wants to go, I will have a look at it but he will be involved against Reading."

 

With Sunderland bottom of the Championship, Quinn is keen to bring cult hero Phillips back to spark a revival at the Stadium of Light.

 

In their classic little-and-large partnership, Phillips scored 130 goals in 235 appearances.

 

Albion are also keen to sign the veteran striker in a bid to boost their attack before next week's transfer deadline.

 

"We've got a good chance of convincing him West Brom is the next step for him," said Robson.

 

"As far as I know the lad has moved into a new house in the Midlands and so he wouldn't have to move again."

 

Following Southampton's relegation, Phillips joined Villa for £1.25m in August 2003.

 

Source:BBC Sport

 

 

Edited August 22, 200618 yr by martyn

As much as I love to pick faults with the BBC, it's just a typo. -_-

S-U-N-D-E-R-L-A-N-D

S-O-U-T-H-A-M-P-T-O-N

 

Yes that is similar, there is an S in the same place, there is no T or H in S'land and no D or L in S'hampton. Someone at the BBC isnt thinking.

S-U-N-D-E-R-L-A-N-D

S-O-U-T-H-A-M-P-T-O-N

 

Yes that is similar, there is an S in the same place, there is no T or H in S'land and no D or L in S'hampton. Someone at the BBC isnt thinking.

Yeah but people do typos like that all the time. -_-

S-U-N-D-E-R-L-A-N-D

S-O-U-T-H-A-M-P-T-O-N

 

Yes that is similar, there is an S in the same place, there is no T or H in S'land and no D or L in S'hampton. Someone at the BBC isnt thinking.

It's just the date that's wrong. He DID join Villa after Southampton were relegated! They were relegated in the o4/05 season and he moved to Villa...

It's just the date that's wrong. He DID join Villa after Southampton were relegated! They were relegated in the o4/05 season and he moved to Villa...

 

 

He joined from Sunderland though not southampton? Or am I missing something. Anyway he has gone to West Brom so I don't like him anymore :P

He joined from Sunderland though not southampton? Or am I missing something. Anyway he has gone to West Brom so I don't like him anymore :P

He joined Southampton after Sunderland were relegated and then joined Villa when Southampton were relegated...

kevin phillips should have went back to sunderland instead of going 2 west brom. if he was a true red and white he would of but he is not . sunderland won anyway who needs kevin phillips.

Edited August 28, 200618 yr by Emma

Sunderland could do with a player like Kevin Phillips, Keane has a hell of a lot of work to do for the club.

If I was a Sunderland fan i'd be glad that they didn't have Kevin Phillips. :lol: He had a couple of good seasons a few years ago but over the past few years he's been c**p. If you looked in League 1 you could probably pick up a decent striker up a lot of potential for a third of the price West Brom payed for Phillips. ^_^

yes your right there about kevin phillips. yes u could get better players in leauge 1 aswell there are much better players than kevin anyway.