KEVIN Phillips could be carrying on his playing days in the Premier League after being offered a deal by Crystal Palace.

The former Sunderland striker fired Palace into the top flight with his penalty winner in last week's play-off final against Watford.

Phillips' post-game interview hinted he could be ready to call it a day, but boss Ian Holloway will use all his persuasive powers to keep the 40-year-old.

"His finish to take us into the top flight was the work of a master marksman," Holloway said. "But I don't want it to be the end. I told Kevin that I had visions of him making more history next season - by scoring more Premier League goals than any other man of his vintage. "The deal is on the table and I've got a feeling he will take me up on the offer.

"Kevin loves football. He still gets the same thrill of seeing the ball hit the back of the net that he's always had. "The only difference between him and other mortals is that he takes care of himself while others give in to temptation."

BLACKPOOL'S Tom Ince was a man in demand last season, with Liverpool keen on his services. And now, he could be following in the footsteps of his father Paul, with Inter Milan showing an interest.

LEE Miller, the former Middlesbrough striker, is out of contract at Carlisle and likely to move on. The Scot has been offered a new deal to stay at Brunton Park, but has yet to respond to the offer.

ANOTHER former North-East centre-forward, Michael Chopra, is reported to be on his way out of Ipswich. Formerly of both Sunderland and Newcastle, Chopra has been plagued by a string of off-field problems in recent years.

SWINDON skipper Alan McCormack is to leave the club for Brentford. The Robins have had to cut their wage bill in half this summer from more than £4m to £2m, with a number of high earners making their way out of the County Ground.

CHAMPIONSHIP quartet Birmingham, Ipswich, Blackburn and Wigan have been linked with released Sunderland defender Matt Kilgallon.

Sunderland confirmed last week that Kilgallon would not be offered a new contract at the Stadium of Light when his deal expires next month.

And that has alerted several Championship sides to the possibility of landing the 29-year-old on a Bosman deal. Ipswich are rumoured to have already opened talks with the former Leeds man.

Gary Breen, the ex-Sunderland centre-half, has joined the coaching staff at Peterborough United on a two-year deal.