Derby hero Phillips eager to kick on

Derby hero Kevin Phillips is not ready to become Birmingham's forgotten man and is hoping to be the striker manager Alex McLeish has been searching for.

The 36-year-old climbed off the bench to strike twice in the last 10 minutes at St Andrew's yesterday, as Blues came from behind to beat Wolves 2-1.

Boss McLeish failed to land a big name striker in the transfer window, but Phillips has vowed to prove him right to save his cash.

He said: "In football you soon get forgotten about when you're not playing. I believe, as I did at the start of the season, I can still do a job in this league and I've shown that.

"I was feeling a bit down this year. I've been lucky as, wherever I've gone in my career, I've played and it's difficult sitting on the bench. Yesterday gave me a boost and that hunger again.

"I've shown myself I can still do it."

The former Albion striker could have left St Andrew's last month, but wanted to fight for his place.

He said: "There were teams interested, but I would have had to upsticks and move. I said at the end of last season I didn't want to move.

"I felt, even if the gaffer brought another striker in, it would have only been four and I believed I would get my chance. Now I'm going to be knocking on his door for another year.

"The manager pulled me aside once the window had closed and told me he got offered players, big names who were coming to the end of their careers, but felt they weren't going to bring anything to the club which wasn't already here."

Phillips' brace, after Kevin Doyle had given the visitors the lead, continued a remarkable record against Wolves.

The veteran has scored for Albion, Sunderland, Southampton and now Blues against the Molineux club.

He said: "I think my record is very good and they're sick of the sight of me, as they booed me quite a bit. Players have teams who you score against in your career and unfortunately for Wolves it's them.

"It was a massive step for us but all credit to them."