FOOTBALL boot manufacturers are queueing up to sign on Sunderland's ace striker Kevin Phillips - ditched last week by sportswear company Diadora.

The England international was furious after the Italian firm's comments on why they had decided not to renew his boot contract, which ended at the end of the year, labelling them "petty, pathetic and immature."

Now adidas and the club's shirt sponsors, Nike, are leading the charge to sign up Phillips, who has stressed that comfort will come before cash considerations when he decides on his future footwear.

Phillips wore adidas Predator boots when he broke a six-game goal drought to score one of the best goals ever seen at the Stadium of Light in the 2-1 FA Cup home defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion.

Wearside fans trooped away deeply disappointed by the Third Round exit - but Phillips' superb strike was did something to salve the wounds.

Phillips revealed: "It's very important to have shoes which are ultra-comfortable and I haven't always had that in the past so I'll take my time in making sure I get pairs which suit me just right."

Nine-goal Phillips, who won Europe's Golden Shoe award two seasons ago for his 30 Premiership goals, was furious about rumours that he'd been seeking a massive increase on his reported £100,000 boot contract.

And comments from Diadora that he's missed three consecutive penalties and was unlikely to be chosen for the England World Cup squad also hurt him deeply.

He said: "I look at what they've said and I'm sorry but I think they've just been petty, pathetic and immature.

"I don't want to get involved in a slanging match, but I think they've handled the whole thing very badly - it doesn't reflect very well on the company and I could understand it if other players were wary of dealing with them in the future."

Nike have been quick to criticise the way Diadora handled the decision not to renew Phillips's contract and have offered to supply as many boots and training shoes as the little striker wants as he makes up his mind what to wear.

A spokesman said: "We found Diadora's attitude towards Phillips absolutely unbelievable.

"He is a great player who was top scorer in Europe a couple of years ago. Phillips has been a tremendous servant to Sunderland and is a credit to the Premiership and he could well be in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for this summer's World Cup.

"We'll give Kevin as many pairs of boots and trainers as he needs and we would consider it an honour to see him playing in our product."

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