PHILLIPS NAMED CARLING PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Along with that first prize came the Carling Golden Boot as the Premiership's top scorer for notching up 30 goals with Sunderland this season.

The Carling Awards Panel, which included England manager Kevin Keegan, was the most representative panel ever assembled in football.

Keegan and his Panel colleagues said: "Kevin Phillips has made the transition from First Division to the Carling Premiership without a problem and has been banging in goals for fun with Sunderland.

"You can't argue with stats and 30 goals in one season is a phenomenal strike rate, if he can continue this form during Euro 2000 he will make himself a national hero."

Phillips has played three seasons with Sunderland after signing from Watford in July 1997 for a fee of £325,000. He won his first England cap last year against Hungary in Budapest.

During this season, Phillips was named Carling Player of the Month in October when Sunderland were third in the Premiership table - the highest position they reached in the season.