GOAL-ACE Kevin Phillips, who comes under the scrutiny of new England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson for the second time in nine days at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, admitted last night: "Life can't get much better than it is at the moment."

The little striker was given little opportunity to demonstrate his lethal finishing in front of the Swedish coach at Upton Park last Saturday, but he became Sunderland's top post-war scorer with 104 goals when he cracked in two in the 4-2 FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace in midweek.

Eriksson has been told all about Phillips' phenomenal scoring record and is keen to witness it first hand before he announces his first England team for next month's friendly against Spain.

But Phillips is happy to concentrate on helping to maintain Sunderland's eye-catching march to second place in the table, even though he makes no secret about his international ambitions.

He said: "I don't think you can judge a person on one game but I did not disgrace myself and I believe Mr Eriksson will be there against Bradford.

"It will be an opportunity for me to show I should be given a chance to play for England but it is not the thing that is driving me.

"What is my driving force is being in a high position with Sunderland - the goals are coming now so I am not even thinking about it."

Phillips admits that even he and his team-mates have been surprised to have climbed so high up the Premiership table.

He said: "We have done it quietly, we have just crept up there and not really had the credit we deserve. We have been fantastic this season and have had some great results.

"We'd be lying if we said we were not surprised by being in second place - we are.

"But we deserve to be where we are after our slow start.

"I think now we have a fantastic chance of getting into Europe and maybe we can even win a Champions League place.

"We all enjoy being in this position - this is what it is all about. Second in the best league in the world is wonderful."

Phillips, who has set Wearside alight with his fabulous finishing since his modest £650,000 transfer from Watford nearly four years ago, admits that his success surprises even himself.

He said: "When Sunderland signed me they were crying out for a goalscorer and most people had never heard of me. I don't think that's the case now!

"But I am surprised at the amount of goals I have scored in such a low number of games.

"I never realised I was such a natural goalscorer. It is instinctive and you cannot learn the art, it is just about getting into the right positions at the right time."

Phillips has been playing in a deeper role this season and admits a greater satisfaction in his overall game.

He said: "I enjoy getting more involved and my link up play is a lot better. I feel happier now when I come off the pitch.

"Even when I got 30 goals last season, when I sat back and thought about it, I wasn't happy with my all-round play."

Putting the ball into the back of the net is still Phillips' main purpose in life, however.

He said: "When I come off the pitch I want to have scored goals. But now everything is coming together so playing deeper earlier in the season, when the goals weren't coming and I was a bit frustrated, is starting to pay off."

Phillips realises that he faces stiff competition for the role of England striker and he refuses to let it become an obsession.

He said: "If I don't get picked I won't let it affect me.

"I am more concerned about keeping Sunderland in the top four in the Premiership."

Despite speculation about other clubs casting envious eyes his way Phillips is happy to stay with Sunderland.

He said: "I have always said this club can go all the way with the magnificent set up and we are gradually getting the side we need to challenge."