Phillips backs top-flight ability

Blues striker believes he can still do a job

Last updated: 8th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Phillips backs top-flight ability

Phillips: Late double sinks Wolves

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Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips believes his double against Wolves proves he can still cut it at Premier League level.

The former England marksman, who is eight caps for his county without scoring, is now 36-years-old, but made a telling contribution off the bench on Sunday.

However, he proved he has not lost his ability to find the back of the net with a priceless late double in their 2-1 win over rivals Wolves at St Andrews.

Phillips accepts that he is not going to be a regular starter under Alex McLeish this season and that he knew he would need to remain patient for chances.

The former West Brom, Aston Villa and Sunderland man knows that he is not far from retiring, but that performances like on Sunday make him believe he can keep going.

Still do it

"I think I've shown that I can still do it. It was only last season that I was still knocking goals in for fun," explained Phillips.

"People forget about you when you are not playing week in and week out but I believe, as I did at the start of the season, that I can still do a job in this league.

"It was just great to be on the pitch to be honest. I've not had much game time recently. I've said to myself I knew I was going to have to be patient this season.

"I knew I would get my chance. The gaffer said to me after the transfer window had shut 'we've not brought a forward in, if we had it would have been disrespectful to you' and that I was going to get more game time."

Phillips added: "People write you off when you get past the 30 mark and I'm 36 now. You have to be mentally strong and have to keep believing you are going to get your chance.

"It is a short career and I'm not that many years away from retiring and I want to try and play as long as I can at the highest level I possibly can.

"Moments like this (against Wolves) make me want to play for even longer."