Kevin Phillips' injury fears were swept away by a specialist's verdict yesterday.

A question mark hovered over the Sunderland striker after he was sent home early from their continental tour.

Phillips failed to start a game and needed treatment on a knee injury which threatened to keep him out at the start of the season.

The England international had a scan and received the verdict yesterday before joining young fans at the Diadora-sponsored David Campbell soccer roadshow in Sunderland.

"There was a bit of swelling in my right knee, but the specialist told me I will be fine for the start of the season," said Phillips.

"The team and I have set our standards now and it's important we get off to a good start."

Phillips, whose amazing 30-goal haul in the Premiership failed to earn him an appearance in England's Euro 2000 games, has set his usual 20-goal target for this season.

And with strike partner Niall Quinn ready to sign a new contract, Phillips believes they will be among the goals again.

He said: "I've got nothing to prove to myself - and I've proved to people in the North-East that I can do it.

"Perhaps there are still doubters, but I've kept proving them wrong and hopefully I will do it again this season."

Manager Peter Reid has so far steered clear of big-name signings apart from Scottish international Don Hutchison, but Phillips is optimistic about the season ahead.

He said: "Everybody knows what Don can do. The boss has also signed a couple of unknowns in Julio Arce and Stanislav Varga, who looked very comfortable when I saw him in training.

"But the manager knows we need a couple of extra big signings and I'm sure he's got them lined up."

Meanwhile, Nicky Summerbee could still be a Sunderland regular this season - even though he looked set to exit the Stadium of Light a week ago.

The 28-year-old right-winger rejected a £1.5m switch to Bradford last week and has said he wants to stay and earn a new deal with the Black Cats.

Summerbee failed to agree a new deal with Sunderland last season and could walk away for free next summer under the Bosman ruling, with only one year of his contract remaining.

Manager Peter Reid had to deal with a similar dilemma last summer when striker Michael Bridges and left-winger Allan Johnston refused to sign new contracts with only a year remaining on their existing agreements.

Bridges was sold to Leeds for £5m and Johnston stayed on the club's books for a year without playing another game, prior to joining Rangers.

But Reid says Summerbee will not be subjected to the same treatment because the two situations are different.

He said: ''Allan Johnston agreed a contract with me and then went back on his word. It was a similar thing with Michael.''

But, speaking on the Wearside club's website, Reid added: ''Nicky's situation is completely different. We were negotiating a new deal at the end of last season and could not come to an agreement.

''Under those circumstances, as Sunderland manager, I have to make a decision that I think is in the club's best interests.

''Nicky has decided not to go to Bradford and that's fine. He is still a Sunderland player and will be available for selection like everyone else."

l Newcastle United Reserves recorded their fourth pre-season victory last night when they comfortably beat Berwick 5-2 at Shielfield Park.

Shola Ameobi opened the scoring in front of a crowd of more than 2,000 when he tapped home from close ranger after Temuri Ketsbaia had put in a low shot.

Ketsbaia then added United's second with a superb first-time shot from outside the box on 28 minutes.

The Georgian then made it 3-0 when he broke out of defence and calmly put the ball past Berwick keeper Gary O'Connor as Newcastle took complete control of the game.

But Berwick scored the next two goals, from Gary Wood and Darren Smith, before Newcastle hit back with late goals from Spanish international Marcelino and former Darlington striker Jamie Coppinger.

Newcastle United Res: Grindlay, Charvet, Beharall, Hamilton (Kerr 60), Marcelino, S Caldwell (G Caldwell 45), McClen, Ketsbaia, Coppinger, Amoebi (McMahon 66), Brady. Subs (not used) Brain, Boyd.

Newcastle's determination to keep defender Didier Domi will face a £6m examination.

Manager Bobby Robson is keen to keep Domi and has already rejected a £4m bid from Paris St Germain.

But, according to French sources, PSG are now planning to increase their offer by 50 per cent.

It would prove attractive to United, who have Andy Griffin and Aaron Hughes as ready-made replacements for Domi at left-back.

l Lazio striker Alen Boksic arrived in Middlesbrough last night to seal a £2.5m move.

The 30-year-old will undergo a medical today before signing a three-year £40,000-a-week contract, following £2m Noel Whelan and £3m Joseph Desire Job into Boro's ranks.

Robson completed the deal for Job after the 22-year-old passed a medical