Kevin Phillips hoping to recreate special strike partnership at Birmingham City

Jul 11 2010 by Colin Tattum, Sunday Mercury

KEVIN Phillips has admitted that he is curious to see if he can forge another prolific little and large partnership.

Super Kev was devastating alongside big Niall Quinn for Sunderland during their back-to-back seventh place Premier League finishes.

Now the veteran striker is wondering whether Nikola Zigic can provide the Quinn role from which he can benefit at Blues.

Phillips, who signed on for another season at St Andrew’s this summer, said it would probably be another player profiting.

“He’s a similar mould, isn’t he? Probably more like Niall Quinn, but it will probably be Cameron Jerome linking up with him, won’t it?

“But you never know, if I get my chance and I take it...

“I don’t know that much about him. I have just watched him in the World Cup, as we all have.

“He’s a big lad, obviously. Hopefully we can play to his strengths, that’s the important thing.

“You look at Peter Crouch and Spurs play to suit him. That’s what we have got to do to get the best out of him.

“That’s what the manager will be drumming into the players.

“Nowadays they have all got good touches, they have all got good feet. I’m sure he’s not slow.

“I’m sure everyone thinks at 6ft 8in tall he will be, but once those legs get in their stride, he will take some catching.

“He will take one stride to my five or six – so I’ve got more work to do this season than him!”

Manager Alex McLeish said he had given it some thought as well.

“Yes, I’m aware that if Kev partners Nikola that comparisons will inevitably be made of when he played up front with Niall in those Sunderland glory days.

“That was a long time ago when Kev was in his prime but he has still got a great technique and so that partnership is an option.

“But I can also see that there are a few different balances we can have in the team.”

Phillips, who turns 37 later this month, said he was wary of predicting further success for Blues.