STEVE McCLAREN has assured Kevin Phillips that the England door is still ajar despite the emergence of Alan Smith on the international stage.

While Sunderland striker Phillips was left kicking his heels again, Leeds star Smith crowned his first senior England start by scoring the opener in Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw with Portugal at Villa Park.

Phillips, omitted from Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad after failing to break his England goal duck in eight appearances, has now slipped further down the striking pecking order behind the likes of Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Darius Vassell, Robbie Fowler and Smith.

Phillips' last appearance for England was in the friendly with Holland in Amsterdam in February.

But McClaren, Eriksson's assistant coach, knows 29-year-old Phillips is a major danger to his Middlesbrough side in tonight's Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside Stadium.

And the Boro boss insists that a return to the goal standard which won Phillips Europe's Golden Shoe for 30 top-flight strikes three seasons ago, could propel him back into the international reckoning.

McClaren said: "You could say Kevin has been a bit unlucky. He's scored a lot of goals and if you're doing that and you're English, you have to be in contention for an England place.

"If Kevin scores goals this season and goes on a run, he has to be in contention again.

"It's wrong to suggest the door is closed on anybody.

"But, first and foremost, they must perform for their clubs. Kevin Phillips is no different. If he performs and scores goals, he's in the reckoning.''

McClaren also offered support and encouragement to Sunderland boss Peter Reid, who was the target of abuse from dissatisfied fans in the close season.

Reid has alleviated the pressure with a club record £10m double deal for strikers Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart.

Flo scored on his debut in the 1-1 home draw with Manchester United ten days ago and McClaren said: "I think Peter has made two tremendous signings.

"He's been looking for strikers, and Flo has experience and Stewart has scored goals wherever he's been.

"I'm delighted for Peter because I think he's taken unfair criticism and it's good to see the Sunderland board backing him with the resources to bring people in.

"He's done a tremendous job for Sunderland. To finish seventh two years on the trot was a phenomenal achievement.

"He had a dip last season through certain circumstances, but this year they've started well. I think you have to be a certain type of character to be a football manager - thick-skinned with inner-strength.

"In the bad times, that's what you need, and Peter has emphasised that in the way he's come through last season.

"I'm pleased to see Sunderland are doing well - I want all three teams in the area to do well in the Premier League.

"Sunderland have a siege mentality and as with any side Peter Reid puts out, they work hard, are tremendous competitors and also have quality.

"I would say we're two evenly-matched sides. Even though we lost, I was delighted with the performance we put in at Man. United last week - we passed and competed well and gave them a tough game.

"I'm expecting another tough game against Sunderland and a close one - it could be a ding-dong battle.

"When we beat them here last season, it kick-started our season. We beat them both times last season and we're hoping to repeat that this year.''

McClaren hopes to have a new face at his disposal tonight after Boro yesterday completed the signing of versatile defender Tony Vidmar on a one-year deal.

The 33-year-old Australian international, released by Rangers, was able to sign after the closure of the transfer window because he had been a free agent since the end of last season.

Boro were yesterday awaiting the formality of FIFA clearance, and McClaren said: "Tony has proved his worth while he's been here. He's in the squad and as long as we get the clearance, he'll be with us.''

McClaren admits he has a selection poser up front, with Alen Boksic and Szilard Nemeth having recovered from thigh and hamstring injuries.

"I've got a bit of a dilemma,'' said McClaren. "Alen and Szilard have trained for the past two days and come back into contention.

"But Joseph Job did very well against Man. United and scored against Blackburn, and he's in contention to start again.''

* Brian Clough, who starred for both Boro and Sunderland, is guest of honour at tonight's match. Clough is also signing copies of his new autobiography in Waterstones, Middlesbrough, from midday to 2pm.