By Chris Burton Last updated: 6th November 2009
Phillips: Limited opportunities
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish insists veteran frontman Kevin Phillips remains part of his first-team plans.
The 36-year-old striker has struggled to hold down a regular role for the Blues this season as they attempt to consolidate their standing in the Premier League.
He has made just one top-flight start so far this term, with the likes of James McFadden and Christian Benitez pushing him down the pecking order.
His lack of action has helped to fuel speculation that he could soon be on his way out of St Andrew's.
Middlesbrough, who are currently plotting a route back into the big time, are reported to be keen.
New Boro boss Gordon Strachan has admitted to having drawn up a list of players he is keen to get on board, and Phillips is believed to be among them.
McLeish, though, insists he has no plans to let the former Sunderland and West Brom man leave and has played down talk of an imminent exit.
"We don't have any plans to get Kevin out of the door," said the Scot.
"Kevin is still sprightly on the training ground, he is still worth something to our squad. His contribution to the Bolton game recently was good.
"I know he wants to play every week and feels at 36 he is capable of doing that so I understand his frustration."
Total Season Points 2009/10. Click here to bet.
Latest Sky Sports News Report
Sky Bet Daily - Monday
Championship Round Up - 21st November
Chelsea v Wolves - 2nd Half
Sunderland v Arsenal - 1st Half
Sunderland v Arsenal - 2nd Half
League One Round Up - 21st November
Tottenham 9-1 Wigan - Defoe
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| 13:30 | Everton vs Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Portsmouth vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs Bolton |
| 17:30 | Man City vs Chelsea |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 0 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Tottenham 9 - 1 Wigan | |
| Stoke 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Hull 3 - 3 West Ham | |
| Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Wolverhampton | |
| Man Utd 3 - 0 Everton | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Fulham | |
| Burnley 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
Spurs humiliated Wigan, Arsenal's title aspirations suffered a blow while Hull and West Ham drew.
Gary Mabbutt told Sky Sports News nine-goal Tottenham are well-placed to crack the top four this term.
Skysports.com looks at the best and worst moments from the latest round of top-flight fixtures.
Thierry Henry considered drawing a close to his international career after being overwhelmed by events of last week.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has given his backing to Roberto Martinez following their 9-1 humiliation at Spurs.
Kolo Toure has admitted that a falling out with an Arsenal team-mate forced his summer switch to Man City.
Steven Gerrard is confident Liverpool can 'put things right' and insists morale remains positive despite the team's flagging season.
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is optimistic he will soon be back in the dug-out after his heart surgery.
Comments (4)
Richard Read (Birmingham City fan) says...
mcleish should go before phillips hes the only one who can score goals wake up mcleish
Posted 12:06 6th November 2009
Sue Dockray (Birmingham City fan) says...
keep kevin phillips, what a sub he is!! can change a game with one touch, brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 18:31 5th November 2009
Gavin Hughes (Cardiff City fan) says...
Kevin Phillips is a class act and scored goals whereever he has played, Sure he may not have the legs he onced had to manged week in week out but the amount of times he has featured for Birmingham this season is beyond considering he was a massive part in their promotion, He is a proven premier league scorer and regardless of his age should be given more opportunities that he has, If not as a Cardiff City Fan we would love to take him off your hands.
Posted 16:05 5th November 2009
Peter T (Sunderland fan) says...
Super Kev is the best striker I have ever seen play for Sunderland. He has scored bags of goals at every club he has been at. He's a real genuine bloke and a true Sunderland legend
Posted 16:00 5th November 2009