Phillips hoping to feature against West Brom
Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips says he hopes to force his way back into the team before the derby with West Bromwich Albion.
Phillips has been recovering from a thigh injury that he picked up during a pre-season game. The striker admits that it has been a frustrating time but he insists he is ready to start playing again soon.
Alex McLeish has been forced to look at other attacking options since Phillips picked up the injury. This means that the veteran striker is going to have to work twice as hard to grab McLeish's attention again.
Phillips can add a great deal to the Birmingham team and there are many reasons why the manager should pick him. However, Birmingham is a blessed side in the attacking area with a number of players to choose from.
Reasons to pick him
Many defenders and managers of teams have said in the past that Phillips is one of the most awkward strikers to play against. He is very quick despite being 37-years-old and his hustle and bustle around the football pitch can often generate mistakes in the opposition defence.
Phillips is now one of the most experienced players at Birmingham and he can play in a number of different roles. His best position is dropping off a bigger striker and using the space in front of the defence to create and set-up numerous chances.
Phillips has the ability to ignite the support of Birmingham's fans. This vocal support can sometimes be the thing that turns a tight match and if Phillips starts to play well when he gets back in then St. Andrews will be thumping.
He said: "The injury is fine. I'm not getting any more pain or symptoms. It's just now trying to catch up on fitness, trying to tick all the boxes with the medical staff. We're not far away. I'd say if you're going to ask me when I will be ready, Liverpool on Sunday is probably a bit too soon."
Blessed in attack
Birmingham is very fortunate in the respect that they have a few strikers to choose from that can play up front in Phillips' absence. Nikola Zigic is still trying to have an impact in the Premier League after making a £6 million move to the club from Valencia.
Cameron Jerome is a very pacey and talented striker who can play a similar role to Phillips in the side. Phillips will have to concede that he is way down the pecking order at the moment and must work his way back into the team.
He added: "I will need at least a week's training with the lads. So I'm hoping to be involved in some capacity in the West Brom game. I have still got plenty to offer. At the moment this has probably made me more hungry now, sitting out for a month. It is doing my head in. I can't wait to get back training. I feel I haven't started. I am nearly ready and raring to go."
Betting advice
Most teams will admit that they're happy when Phillips' name is not in Birmingham's squad for a game. The striker has scored goals at every stage of his career and his hunger and energy should ensure he still has a role to play.
The best option is to back him with each game that comes. His injury means he misses vital matches and is unlikely to be a candidate for top scorer in the Premier League or at the club by the end of the year. However, he can score against anyone at any time.
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