ENGLAND international Kevin Phillips and Sunderland manager Peter Reid angrily refuted reports yesterday that the 15-goal striker wants to leave the Wearsiders and return south.

Phillips, who last season signed a new, long term contract, immediately sought a meeting with Reid after reading newspaper reports that he was seeking a transfer.

Phillips said: "It is complete and utter rubbish and I would like every Sunderland supporter to know that. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Phillips has come in for increasing criticism from fans after a disappointing run which has brought only one goal in 12 games - but he has vowed to win over the doubters.

He was clearly livid about the latest speculation and he said: "Some of the stuff I read about myself is unbelievable and the latest stories are nonsense."

Reid also fired down suggestions that he might be losing his star striker - and he is annoyed that the player could be unsettled by suggestions that he is not happy at the club which plucked him as a virtual unknown from Watford for a bargain £650,000.

Reid stressed: "If the boy had a problem I would be the first to know.

"When Kevin came to the training ground this morning he immediately came to see me after hearing about the story.

"Kevin told me that we have such a good relationship I would never hear anything about him first from a national newspaper.

"Kevin rubbished the story and told me he is very happy at the club - that's good enough for me."

Phillips' wife, Julie, has been told she is pregnant for a second time and is expecting twins.

Reid also revealed yesterday he has no regrets about opting out of Inter-Toto Cup contention this summer even though his side now virtually needs a miracle to qualify for Europe.

The Wearside boss is a great believer in giving players a break in the summer before starting a comprehensive pre-season build up, and while Sunderland would have been leading contenders to win a place in the European inter-club competition he has not had second thoughts.

He said: "You can't just keep flogging players.

"We will have international players who will be involved in games in June.

"I know the club needs to be in Europe but you can't flog players all year round - it is just impossible."

Sunderland have just three games remaining to try to prise open a door into Europe, but the odds seem stacked against them following a poor run which has brought only seven points from 11 games.

Reid knows how hard it will be at Southampton this afternoon after ending his playing career at The Dell, but he remains adamant that Sunderland haven't had their just desserts over the last couple of month.

He said: "I we don't qualify it will be disappointing considering the position we have been in.

"But I've got to say over the last couple of months it has been frustrating at times for myself, the players and the fans and I can only say it the way I see it.

"We haven't got what we have deserved from some of our games.

"Whether it has been through an inability to stick the ball into the net or a couple of decisions going against us, that's the way it's been.

"Certainly the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Leeds United - top draw teams - have got away with results they could feel slightly fortunate about."

Reid added: "But the biggest plus I've got is that the players have had a lot of disappointing results but they keep bouncing back with performance after performance and not getting what they deserve. But their attitude has been terrific.

"It tells you how far we have come when I mention these teams and we haven't won at the Stadium of Light since we beat Ipswich in January.

"The performances haven't warranted that sort of run - we just have to try to maintain those performances and get the results."

Sunderland beat a 38-year-old jinx by winning 2-1 at Southampton a year ago and Reid knows it will be tough going to come up with a repeat performance today.

Southampton are scheduled to move out of The Dell into a new stadium and Reid said: "It is always a difficult place to visit - the crowd is on top of you and you tend to feel claustrophobic.

"But we got a good result there last season and we'll be trying to do the same this time.

"Old grounds like Roker Park, The Dell and the Baseball Ground hold a lot of memories for me."

Sunderland are likely to be without the services of Phillips this afternoon. The England international received a painful calf injury in the 1-1 home draw against Newcastle United and seems certain to be ruled out.

Reid is likely to use the versatile Scottish international Don Hutchison in a striking role alongside Niall Quinn.

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