KEVIN Phillips last night urged Sunderland boss Peter Reid to find him a new strike partner before the start of the season.

The Black Cats have been exploring the possibility of bringing in Leeds' Robbie Keane or Derby's Malcolm Christie as Phillips' partner, but so far a deal for either player has failed to materialise.

And record-breaker Phillips, who has scored 109 league goals in 176 appearances for Sunderland, is confident Reid will get his man before the opening Premiership clash at Blackburn - whoever he is.

"I'm sure the manager is working hard on it and that's a question you will have to ask him," said Phillips, who knows player-coach Niall Quinn is only likely to play a small part during the forthcoming campaign.

"But whoever he brings in, and I'm sure the manager will get someone, he will be an exceptional player.

"The most important thing is that we gel straight away because the first five or six games are going to be massive.

"We will need to get some points on the board early and that's going to be our aim.

"It's not just about a centre forward though, I'm sure the manager is trying to bring in three or four new faces."

Phillips' comments came on the same day as Reid indicated he is still working hard on securing at least one, possibly two, new front-men.

And following the appointment of Terry Venables to the Leeds hot-seat, the Sunderland chief's hand could have been strengthened in his bid to land Keane.

The Republic of Ireland World Cup star, who celebrated his 22nd birthday three days ago, has previously indicated he is reluctant to leave Elland Road.

However, Phillips believes Keane would be a huge asset to have at the Stadium of Light if he did make the switch to the North-East.

"Keane is a quality player and he showed that in the World Cup," said Phillips, who enjoyed Sunderland's first pre-season training session yesterday.

"I've always rated him because you don't get a move to Inter Milan if you're not any good. If he came to the club it would be a great boost to everyone."

Phillips has been interesting London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, but he insists that he is as focused as ever on trying to turn Sunderland into a top-ten side.

Speculation has been rife that the former Watford striker was on the verge of a multi-million pound switch to the capital.

But Phillips said: "As we stand here now I'm still a Sunderland player.

"I've never said anything different and I'm looking forward to coming in every day and training.

"If anything happens, like I've always said, then it happens. If it doesn't, I'm a Sunderland player and I'll give 100 per cent, as I always do.

"Hopefully it will be a better season than it was last year."

Phillips, who has fully recovered from an operation on a troublesome groin, has not given up hope of an England recall despite his omission from Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad.

The 28-year-old has hopes of playing his way into Eriksson's plans for the European Championships in Portugal in 2004.

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