MICK McCARTHY revealed his fears last night that he will receive an avalanche of offers for Kevin Phillips next month.

Although McCarthy insisted that no-one had yet enquired about Phillips, the Sunderland manager claimed his Premiership counterparts were keeping their powder dry until the season finishes before bidding for his most prized asset.

Portsmouth denied yesterday that they had made the first move in the battle to lure Phillips, likely to be one of the summer's biggest transfer targets, from the Stadium of Light.

McCarthy backed up the claims of the Premiership newboys-in-waiting, but he is anticipating a huge fight for the £5m-rated striker's services to start shortly.

He said: "I'm sure there are all sorts of discussions going on about players, but I don't think there will be approaches yet.

"In fact, I don't think there will be anything to report until the games are over.

"Why would you want to sign somebody and pay his salary from now or the second week of May until July when you could set the deal up and do it when they come back for pre-season?

"I wouldn't sign anyone now, either. I've chatted to different managers about players - theirs and mine - but I haven't set up any deals; I've just had casual discussions.

"Portsmouth haven't made an offer for Kevin Phillips to me. I'd be very upset if they've made one to somebody else and something was done without me.

"I've heard a number of clubs are interested in Kevin Phillips, and why wouldn't they be?

"I was at Leeds Reserves on Wednesday night, and while there I was talking about players to Eddie Gray and Roy Aitken.

"We were discussing Leeds' players and my players, and we were talking about the money in the game and who would be bought this summer.

"The consensus was there would be plenty of takers for Kevin Phillips if he were going to leave this club. He's a proven Premiership goalscorer."

Phillips is doubtful for tomorrow's Wear-Tyne derby with the groin strain that forced him off towards the end of Monday's defeat at Manchester City.

Gavin McCann, who missed the trip to Maine Road with a badly bruised hip, could also sit out the clash with Newcastle United.

However, Kevin Kilbane is likely to defy a groin injury to take his place in the Sunderland team at the Stadium of Light.

He could be joined in the starting line-up by Thomas Sorensen, who is set for a recall after spending the last two games on the bench.

David Bellion, who will leave Sunderland when his contract expires in the summer, is also in the squad for tomorrow's match.

The Frenchman, left out by Howard Wilkinson in December after claiming interest from Manchester United had left him mentally unfit to aid the Black Cats' relegation battle, has made just two first-team appearances in 2003.

But McCarthy said: "David is fit again and he will come into contention this weekend. He offers something different and his pace will always cause problems."

Jason McAteer's agent has denied that the midfielder will quit Sunderland this summer and insists he wants to help next season's promotion bid.

Dave Lockwood said: "It's absolute rubbish to say Jason is leaving. There's no truth in these reports. Jason has got another season left on his contract and he loves it at Sunderland.

"He's delighted to be at Sunderland and he's happy playing under Mick McCarthy. Jason is committed to the club, he has no problems playing in Division One.''

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