Quinn: Kev buy would be magical

Niall Quinn has paid a huge tribute to Kevin Phillips as he attempts to sign the striker.

Niall Quinn has paid a huge tribute to Kevin Phillips as he hopes to bring the Aston Villa forward back to Sunderland.

The Black Cats chairman/manager formed a great partnership with Phillips during his playing days and was bowled over by the ex-Watford man's professionalism and commitment.

As Quinn hopes to usher in a new era on Wearside, Phillips is one of his top targets but he accepts the uncertain situation behind the scenes at Villa is putting any move on hold.

"I have made a couple of enquiries about Kevin but the situation at Aston Villa is nothing's happening until their own ownership and managerial situation is resolved," Quinn explained to Sky Sports News.

"Kevin is somebody who I don't think would come here, play 46 games and go back to scoring 30 goals. I don't see him doing something like that but I've talked about standards of professionalism, improving yourself to play to the absolute maximum of your strengths. There's a guy who, in training, just is the most impressive man I've ever worked with at player level.

"I wanted somebody like him around the ground to show these players, who are a little shell-shocked after last year, what it is like to really make the leap up and get the best out of yourselves.

"He was stocking store shelves a few years before he came to Sunderland, because of his application and the way he conducts himself, you know how far he came - an international and he won the European Golden Boot.

"That's the type of thing I want to show my players and have him around the place. It would be magical but I understand he's an Aston Villa player and I understand the predicament. But, if he ever did become available, I'd be there - hoping he would want to come."

One striker Quinn is not pursuing is Sheffield United's Geoff Horsfield. The experienced forward is expected to rejoin West Brom with The Black Cats looking elsewhere for reinforcements.

"We've got some good forwards," added the Stadium of Light boss. "We haven't made any enquiry at all about Geoff.

"He's a player who I admire, he's done a very good job over the years but, just for us at the moment, he's not one we're looking at."

Sunderland kick off their Championship campaign with a trip to Coventry City, live on Sky Sports 2 on Sunday.