SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid last night fired down suggestions that he might sell his "jewel in the crown" - ace striker Kevin Phillips.

The £11m transfer of England striker Robbie Fowler to Leeds United sparked speculation that Liverpool might turn their attentions to Phillips, who starred in the Wearsiders' 1-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

As he prepared for this afternoon's visit of West Ham to the Stadium of Light, Reid stressed that there had been no inquiries from the Premiership leaders. But he admitted he had not been surprised by the suggestion that Phillips might be targeted.

He said: "When top clubs sell strikers and the names of top strikers are thrown into the hat as possible replacements it is inevitable that Kevin Phillips is going to be one of them because he is such a good player.

"I haven't heard anything from Liverpool and I know Phil Thompson quite well. In fact, we had words after last week's match and he never mentioned Kevin Phillips!

"But I can understand the speculation. It has happened that many times it doesn't unsettle Kevin and it certainly doesn't unsettle me because the question has to be asked - that's the game we are in.

"One of the reasons is that he was superb for us last week. He was our only threat and he was top- class."

Reid added: "But there has been no approach. Kevin Phillips is our jewel in the crown and you don't sell them, do you?"

The Sunderland boss is hoping that the crowd will get behind the team this afternoon instead of giving Scottish international Don Hutchison a hard time on his first return to the club following his £5.25m move to Upton Park earlier in the season.

Reid said: "Don is a good footballer and he has spoken to me since he left and our relationship is great. We wish him well in his future career as long as it's not against us.

"But the crowd were terrific against Leeds and that was one of the reasons we beat them.

"If they get behind us again it will be a massive boost."

Sunderland will still be without central defender Jody Craddock, who has almost recovered from a badly gashed shin, and Eire international Kevin Kilbane, still nursing an ankle injury. Both are expected to play in a reserve game against Aston Villa next week.

Reid was not happy with his side's lack of penetration at Liverpool and he could decide to recall midfielder Stefan Schwarz.

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