Kevin Phillips has admitted he has found it difficult to cope with being a regular substitute at Birmingham City this season, but the veteran striker insists he has no plans to retire at the end of the campaign and hopes that his two goals against Wolverhampton will herald a change in his fortunes and lead to a starting place at Upton Park tomorrow evening.
Phillips is the second oldest outfield player in the Premier League but when asked whether he was close to calling time on his career he replied: "Definitely not. It is not too far around the corner but I'm definitely going to have another season next season, without a doubt."
The 36-year-old made a dramatic late impact on Sunday, scoring twice in the space of five minutes to turn around the West Midlands derby and give Birmingham a victory that takes them to within four points of a top-six place. It was the first time Phillips has appeared in the Premier League since the middle of December and the former England international pointed to his two goals as evidence that he is still capable of playing at the highest level.
"People forget about you when you are not playing but I believe, as I did at the start of the season, that I can still do a job in this league and I've shown that against Wolves," said Phillips, who claimed he was no more than 75% fit because of a recent groin injury and a lack of match practice. "All I was asking for was at least half an hour and I've showed now what I can do. I'm not saying I'm going to do that every game but maybe I'm hoping I'm pushing for a start now."
Phillips rejected permanent and loan moves last month because he was optimistic he would get a chance at Birmingham, although he could not conceal his disappointment at being a peripheral figure for so long. "I've got to admit I was feeling a bit down this year. I've been lucky in that I've played the majority of games throughout my career and I've found it difficult sitting on the bench week in and week out even though we are in the Premier League. But Sunday has given me that boost and bit of hunger again that I can still score a goal."
Against Wolves Alex McLeish named the same starting line-up for the 12th successive game, in which time Birmingham have lost only once, at Chelsea. Although Phillips accepts it would have been difficult for McLeish to change a winning team, he highlighted Birmingham's lack of goals as a reason to believe more opportunities might now follow. "Yes, they are winning but we are not scoring that many goals and ultimately centre-forwards are judged on scoring goals. I'm not going to argue. At my age, I'm just delighted to still be in the Premier League. I've given him something to think about and we'll just see what happens during the week."
