KEVIN Phillips believes he has shown England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson that he is capable of being a force at international level after his performance in the friendly clash with Sweden at Old Trafford.

But the Sunderland striker knows he faces a crucial make or break two months in trying to cement his World Cup claims by producing the goods and the goals for the Black Cats.

And Phillips admits that his chances of going to Japan and South Korea will be looking remote if he is not in the squad for the next warm-up international with Holland in Amsterdam on February 13.

He was the surprise choice in Eriksson's starting line-up against the Swedes alongside Emile Heskey.

The fact that Phillips was not told until noon on Saturday he was playing indicates he was a late replacement for Michael Owen, who had been pencilled to play after passing a fitness test on his hamstring injury.

It was the first taste of action for Phillips under Eriksson and his first England start for 18 months and he was given 58 minutes before he and Emile Heskey were replaced by Robbie Fowler and Teddy Sheringham.

Phillips claimed: ''That is the best I have played for England and I showed on Saturday that I can play at international level. I had short notice of playing and I had to quickly get my head around it.

''I felt sharp and lively and my all-round game was good. People are going to judge me on scoring goals and because I never scored some are probably going to jump on me a little bit.

''But I feel that I did myself justice. I only had half-chances rather than clear-cut ones and definitely feel there are goals in me if I am just given the chances. The main thing is I felt comfortable out there.

''I feel I've come on bundles since I was last involved. I'm more experienced, I'm more grown up and I've added something to my game.'' However, Phillips admitted: ''Although I am pleased, only time will tell whether I have done enough regarding the future.

''I did feel a lot of pressure going out there for my first start under Eriksson. A lot of people had backed me and said 'You deserve a chance, go and prove it'.

''I would have liked to have stayed on for the 90 minutes but there were three other world-class strikers itching to get into the action and the manager was going to swap and change with it being a friendly.'' Phillips added: ''It has been a topsy-turvy international career for me and that was my first start since Malta before Euro 2000 and I am hoping I can now settle down.

''I was always confident I could play at this level and I am at an age in my career - 28, 29, 30 - where you are at your peak and so it is an important time.

''In terms of the World Cup, you are aware there are only a few friendlies left before the tournament. If I'm involved in the next squad, then the manager will have seen something he likes.

''If I am not included, you don't need to be Einstein to work out what that will probably mean and it will be telling me something.

''That's why I've got an important two months coming up before the February match. Performances at Sunderland have not been electrifying and our team has not been playing that well.

''But Saturday was a fresh start for me and, if Sunderland can get back to winning ways and I can start playing well for them and scoring loads of goals, then maybe I can't be overlooked for England.'' And even England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson - asked if he had seen enough to regard Phillips as an international striker - replied: "No, it would not be honest if I said I had seen enough to be convinced."

Now the ball is firmly back in Phillips' court - if he wants to go to Japan and South Korea next summer he will have to earn himself another chance for England by scoring goals for Sunderland.

Against Sweden no player showed more effort or determination than the former non-League footballer. But the goal he desired so passionately was not forthcoming.

Phillips had one shot straight at the keeper, put a header wide and was denied proper contact on another couple of occasions. But he was never given the type of chance he thrives on - a quick strike at goal in the penalty area.

And certainly Phillips was never given the same kind of chances which fell at the feet of substitutes Robbie Fowler and Danny Murphy.

Eventually Phillips was nudged back into the role he has been forced to play for Sunderland this season, fetching and carrying because the service he has received in the box has not been good enough.

Sunderland have been linked with £2.5m-rated Dutch Under-21 winger Andy van der Meyde.

With Peter Reid's quest to sign Trevor Sinclair showing no sign of success, the manager may switch his attentions to Van der Meyde, 22.

He has been watched by Sunderland coach Adrian Heath and Reid could check him out personally when England face Holland in the UEFA European Under-21 play-off return game at Derby tomorrow night.

Sunderland are also reported to have renewed their interest in Parma's Cameroon international striker Patrick Mboma, who is valued at around £5m.

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