STAR striker Kevin Phillips holds the key to Sunderland's long-awaited entry into Europe.

The England international is as desperate as anyone on Wearside to see Sunderland take another step up the ladder of success after two years in the Premiership - and he will play a major part in deciding if it will be third time lucky for Peter Reid's men.

Certainly the Sunderland manager will be looking for 20 plus goals from the 28-year-old, who lost much of his magic touch last season and suffered the ignominy of being left out of new England coach Sven Goran Eriksson's squad.

When Sunderland first blasted their way back to the Premiership, Phillips proved to be a revelation, tormenting unsuspecting defences from all kinds of situations and charging on to a 30-goal haul - all in the league - which won him the Premiership Golden Boot and the European Golden Slipper awards.

It was obvious that opposition central defenders would be much more wary about the former non-League striker during his second campaign, and so it proved, though Phillips blamed a lack of pre-season training for the loss of his scoring edge.

Phillips hit 14 League goals - two of them in the final match at Everton - and without a doubt his barren runs during the season were a major factor in the Wearsiders missing out.

Phillips' reduced goal tally, however, was not down totally to his own lack of form, however.

There were other factors which contributed to him struggling to find the same glorious flow of goals which thrilled fans 12 months previously.

The troublesome back injury which plagued his fellow striker, Niall Quinn, had its effect not only on the Republic of Ireland international's personal goal return, but in the number of assists he provided for his little partner.

And it did not go unnoticed that Sunderland never enjoyed the same service from the right wing after Nicky Summerbee's inexplicable demise and ultimate departure.

While thrilling young Argentinian Julio Arca provided dash and excitement on the left, Sunderland struggled to find a replacement for Summerbee, with Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane - bought as an outside left - a willing trier but never a consistent success on the 'wrong' flank.

The versatile Don Hutchison, deservedly voted the club's Player of the Year, was also utilised wide on the right, but he was obviously not totally at ease in the position, much preferring a central midfield role where his shooting ability was much more effective.

This is a major problem Reid must solve if Sunderland are to start their new quest for Europe with all guns blazing - they must provide the right ammunition for Phillips, Quinn and new £3.6m striker Lilian Laslandes to get a consistent return from the men up front.

Sunderland's other midfield positions seem to be well filled, with much expected of £3.5m signing Nicolas Medina.

The Sunderland defence also looks well equipped to do a job, with the latest acquisition, Bernt Haas from Grasshoppers.

The central defensive partnership of Emerson Thome and the ever-improving Jody Craddock, is efficient and effective, while skipper Michael Gray's link on the left with Arca is full of promise.

And there can be few better goalkeepers in the Premiership than Thomas Sorensen, who can be expected to get even better since taking over from Peter Schmeichel in the Danish team.

Sunderland, having made additions to the squad, go into the new season with a great chance of improving on their seventh position of the last two campaigns. But much hinges on the goalscoring success of Phillips - a contribution of 20 goals or more could open the door into Europe.

Read more about Sunderland AFC here.