Door opens for Phillips

The 33-year-old, who played alongside Sunderland's chairman and manager Niall Quinn during a successful spell at the Stadium of Light, although Martin O'Neill has not completely cut tie with him. "I'm in no hurry to send Kevin Phillips out of the door and he will be involved in the game against Reading [on Wednesday]," said the manager, despite the club agreeing fees with the suitors. "Kevin would like to play regularly but I'm leaving it up to him. If he desperately wants to go, I will have a look at it but he will be involved against Reading." A journey to West Brom would not be too unsettling for Phillips, who has recently brought a house in the Midlands, but the lure of the Black Cats could prove irresistible. He bagged 130 goals in 235 appearances at the Stadium of Light before leaving to join Southampton.