PHILLIPS IN EURO TORMENT

Speaking to the official Sunderland website, Phillips said: "I will always be left wondering what might have been.  My lasting memories of Euro 2000 will be of sheer isolation and despair at not being involved."

Despite finishing top scorer in the Premiership last season, the 26-year-old was not thrown into the fray and was forced to watch Ioan Ganea's penalty seal an embarrassing early exit for England in the last minute of their game with Romania.

Phillips continued: "I felt a part of the squad but once training stopped I felt isolated, I couldn't hide the emotion or the disappointment.  And every time Kevin Keegan named his starting line-up he could see the hurt in my eyes, he could sense the disappointment even if I didn't say a word.

"Not once did I challenge the manager, that is not my way, but by the time we faced Romania for a place in the quarter-finals, reality had set in.

"I knew no matter what, I wouldn't be playing a part in the tournament.  Confidence is everything and I had it in abundance - I thought I should have been given a chance but it wasn't to be."

Now that Alan Shearer has announced his retirement from international football, Phillips is in a strong position to stake a claim for the foreseeable international future.

His North-Eastern rival was generous in his praise for the former England captain.  Phillips said: "Alan has been a terrific player for England and his retirement has been soured by what has happened.

"I've found him to be an incredible player, very committed and determined to succeed.  Euro 2000 has been disappointing in every sense but I'm hoping some good will come out of this for me.

"Given our shortcomings it may well present we with the ideal opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the side."