Phillips backs a Midlands renaissance

Wolf slayer Kevin Phillips is backing the Black Country rivals to give Midlands football its best moment for a generation this year.

'SuperKev' has cast his goalscoring shadow over Wolves while playing for Albion and now Birmingham, but predicts Mick McCarthy's men will win their survival battle.

The former Hawthorns hero is also confident the Baggies will clinch promotion from the Championship and, if it comes to pass, the scene is set for the region's best ever Premier League contingent.

Not since 1984 have the 'big four' from the M6 corridor occupied top-flight places at the same time but Phillips expects the quartet to set up an historic season of Premier League derbies.

He said: "I'm an adopted Midlander now - this is where I will stay here for the rest of my life. I'm hoping I might get the odd job around here in the future, maybe a bit of media work and I would love to see a Midlands football scene with all the clubs in the Premier League - that would be fantastic for us all.

"I can definitely see it happening. I think Wolves are on course to stay up - I really do. Mick McCarthy has done a fantastic job at the club and they keep getting the results they need to keep them on course.

"I think the survival battle is going right down to the wire and it won't be easy - but I think Wolves will do it.

"And you've got to say the Baggies are looking good for promotion again. You can't see them slipping now."

Phillips is not sure whether he will be staying at St Andrew's or a "gun for hire" when the 2010/11 campaign unfolds but is certain of one thing.

He said: "I'm definitely playing on. feel good and I feel I still have a lot to offer. If it's here with Blues still then fine - if not, then I will look elsewhere. I am definitely looking in the top two divisions, though. I won't drop below that."

Phillips, whose contract runs out at the end of this campaign, was never more valuable to his current club than when coming off the bench to turn a 1-0 deficit against Wolves into a 2-1 victory in the St Andrew's derby.

He said: "I came to Blues to get promotion and enjoy another year in the Premier League. I've achieved that.

"As for the future, I'm happy to leave things until the end of the season and see what the manager wants to do."