PLAYER PROFILE

Kevin Phillips

Position: Forward

Height: 5'8

Weight: 11st 5lbs

Date of Birth: 1973-07-25 Hitchin, England

Kevin Phillips

Kevin Phillips signed for West Bromwich Albion from Aston Villa in 2006 for a fee £700,000.

Phillips established a reputation as one of the most dangerous forwards in England by scoring 115 times in 209 league games during his six-year spell with Sunderland between 1997 and 2003.

The Black Cats' relegation in 2003 prompted his £3.25million move to Southampton, where he scored 23 times in 64 top-flight outings.

However, after a season which eventually saw the Saints relegated on a dramatic final day, Phillips decided to call it a day and switch back into the Premier League with a move to Aston Villa.

His first season at Villa Park proved a success as he scored five goals in twenty-two games, despite an ankle injury in November 2005.

However, when new manager Martin O'Neill came to the club he was no longer needed and was sold on to West Brom in August 2006.

The former England international enjoyed two highly fruitful years at the Hawthorns, scoring 46 goals in 81 appearances.

Indeed his goals fired the Baggies to promotion in the 2007/08 season and he was named in the Championship team of the year, however he opted not to renew his contract with the club as they would only offer him a one year deal.

As a result he signed a two year deal at St Andrews starting from the 2008/09 campaign and he set about proving that he still had the goalscoring touch.

24 goals in 38 appearances, including what proved to be the promotion clinching goal at Reading on the final day of the season, have been an impressive return and his goals have been a major factor in the Blues' season.

Philiips has a wealth of Premier League experience and is a proven goalscorer at the highest level, if he hits form in the top flight he could fire Birmingham to safety.