STEFAN Schwarz believes Kevin Phillips has got what it takes to make Sven Goran Eriksson sit up and take notice at West Ham tomorrow.

Eriksson's decision to pick the match at Upton Park for his first taste of domestic football gives goal ace Phillips and several other Sunderland players an early chance to impress the new England boss.

Swedish international Schwarz is confident that his fellow countryman won't have a wasted trip.

The 31-year-old Sunderland midfielder played under Eriksson at Portuguese champions Benfica for a year in 1991-92 and knows the sort of player likely to catch his eye.

Eriksson will look for work rate and team play as well as individual ability and Schwarz said: "I'm sure Kevin will give Sven some food for thought.

"He has scored a lot of goals recently. He's a good marksman and he's looking very sharp at the moment, sharper than he has all season."

Schwarz has compared Phillips in the past to former teammate Gabriele Batistuta, currently banging in the goals for Roma.

The clamour is growing for the 27-year-old striker to be recalled after his snub in Euro 2000.

Teammates Gavin McCann and Michael Gray are also looking to make an impression.

Eriksson is building up a dossier on players ahead of England's friendly in Spain next month. And Schwarz reckons that a number of Sunderland players are good enough to be in his first squad.

He said: "I know Sven will make sure he takes in as many games as possible.

If Sunderland keep doing well he will take a close look at the players here.

"There are certainly players at Sunderland who could do a job for England and who could be part of the team.

"It's an interesting time and it's up to players like Kevin to keep doing well."

Schwarz wouldn't be human if he didn't want to remind Eriksson that he's still a potent force after playing more than 60 internationals for Sweden.

Eriksson, for his part, is a methodical coach and it's conceivable the pair could have a chat after Saturday's game.

Schwarz has made three starts since coming back from a serious Achilles tendon injury.

"After being out for so long you need a lot of games to get fully fit and there is certainly more to come from me," he added.

Kevin Kilbane feels the same way. The Republic of Ireland winger is itching for the chance to bounce back after his Sunderland career unexpectedly hit the buffers.

Kilbane has hardly had a sniff since he was hauled off against Manchester City before Christmas.

Now Schwarz threatens to block his route back into the first team. But with Julio Arca away on international duty with Argentina, Kilbane is hoping for a lucky break.

"I've come off in some matches disappointed because I haven't done as well as I should," confessed the £2.5m attacker. "But I'm looking to improve and there is more to come."

Kilbane may have to settle for a place on the bench but he could be called on to provide the ammunition for fit-again Niall Quinn and Phillips.

Meanwhile skipper Gray, an ever-present in the Premiership, has recovered from the leg injury that kept him out of last weekend's goalless cup tie with Crystal Palace