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Phillips' final frontier

Southampton FC striker Kevin Phillips is eager to impress in his first European club campaign.

By Luke Nicoli

With the European and Premiership Golden Shoe awards sitting proudly on his mantelpiece, Kevin Phillips can look back on a successful career to date.

European void
A prolific six years at Sunderland AFC yielded 132 goals in 236 appearances, along with eight England caps, but never a shot at European club football. So when it became clear that Southampton FC were keen to sign him this summer, the lure of UEFA Cup football certainly had a bearing on his decision.

'More of the same'
"Playing in Europe was not the main reason why I joined the club, but it was certainly a factor," said the 30-year-old. "As a striker, you want to test yourself against the best defenders. I had that opportunity with England and now I'm hoping for more of the same with Southampton."

Romanian challenge
A 1-1 draw against FC Steaua Bucuresti at St Mary's has left the Saints' hopes of progressing to round two firmly in the balance. Phillips scored Southampton's goal on the night and although the Romanians are now favourites to progress, Phillips would argue otherwise.

'Still confident'
"Steaua defended very well at our place but as the home side, they will have to be more attack-minded and hopefully that will leave more space for us to exploit," he said. "Although we dominated the second half at St Mary's, we just couldn't break through their defence but I'm still confident that will change and we can get a result. I'd hate to see us bow out so early."

Teenage apprentice
If the worst does happen, then at least Phillips will have the consolation of top-flight football this season. Having been a member of the Sunderland side that finished last season with the lowest points tally in the Premiership's eleven-year history, his future looked gloomy until Gordon Strachan brought him back to the club where he was a teenage apprentice.

Early setback
"I had been with Southampton since I was a young boy and although I'd scored plenty of goals, the coaching staff converted me to a right-back during my final two years," he recalled. "When the time came to sign professional forms, the manager - Chris Nicholl - thought I was too small. I was devastated to have to leave but it made me all the more determined to succeed."

Non-league return
A spell in non-league football with Baldock Town FC was followed by a return to the professional game with Watford FC and, after three seasons at Vicarage Road, a move to Sunderland, where he became a household name. In the end he was sad to leave, but knew that leaving the Premiership was not an option.

Wearside wrench
"It is sad to see Sunderland now back in division one because the fans don't deserve it," he said. "At this stage of my career, I need to be playing at the highest level and when Gordon Strachan gave me the platform, I had to take it, even if it was a wrench to leave."

Flying start
Having scored on his debut, his partnership with James Beattie has gone from strength to strength, and with Beattie now a regular fixture in Sven-Göran Eriksson's England set-up, Phillips has not ruled out the possibility of joining him one day.

Beattie envy
"I must admit I've felt a little envious of James when he's playing for England," he smiled. "As he has proved, you don't need to be with a big club to get your chance, so if I can keep scoring goals this season, maybe I might get the chance to join him."

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