Kevin Phillips has warned the country's top defenders that they can expect another Premiership grilling this season.

Sunderland hotshot Phillips accepts that his cover is blown after taking English football by storm.

But the bad news for stoppers is that soccer's Golden Boot is working on some new tricks in a bid to notch another 30 goals in the top flight.

The 26-year-old striker confirmed yesterday: "I have a few tricks up my sleeve for the new season.

"I was an unknown quantity last season and players know about me now. But I have to overcome that and add a few things to my game. I've been working on it in training."

Phillips is out to top the goal charts once more after shrugging off his disappointment at failing to win a place in Kevin Keegan's starting lineup for Euro 2000.

Together with Sunderland teammates Niall Quinn, Thomas Sorensen and Michael Gray he modelled the club's new strip to the "Mission Impossible" theme this week.

But there's nothing impossible about his bid to hit the 30-mark again.

"Difficult, yes. Impossible, no," he said. "My target has always been to get 20 and I'm confident I can do that. But to reach 30 goals again would be incredible.

"Questions have been asked of me every season and I have answered them. I have always set myself high standards and I have not let anybody down yet.

"The main priority is not me - it's to help Sunderland improve on last season's seventh finish."

Phillips said he was pleased by the signing of former Everton midfielder Don Hutchison an will help to take the weight off us up front.

"He can score goals from midfield and he's a player I have always admired."

Argentinian wingback Julio Arca is expected to link up with Phillips and co. for Sunderland's continental pre-season tour which starts at Le Havre tomorrow even though he is not eligible to play in Brittany.

Boss Peter Reid confirmed yesterday that he had clinched a £3m deal for the Argentinos Juniors teenager, who is applying for an Italian passport after flying to England.

Arca, 19, has dual nationality because his grandparents are Italian and he should be cleared to play in time for the start of the season - putting pressure on current left back Gray.

"We have agreed a fee and personal terms and it will go through when he gets his passport," said Reid.

"Julio was the best player on the pitch when I saw him in the Under 21 game against England at Craven Cottage in February and I have been keeping an eye on him ever since.

"The lad is a defender but he can play in a few positions and he looks a really good footballer."

Arca will be Reid's fourth summer signing and sources in Slovenia claim he has agreed a £800,000 deal for Slovan Bratislava central defender Stanislav Varga.

Nicky Summerbee meanwhile is likely to agree on Monday to a £1.5m switch to Bradford City.

l Mark Viduka is poised to finally make his Leeds debut today after belatedly receiving clearance for his international work permit.

Viduka joined Leeds recently following a £6m move from Celtic, but the Elland Road club were forced to cut through red tape in a bid to seal the protracted move.

The Department for Education and Employment had initially rejected Leeds' permit application for the Australian, stating he had not made enough international appearances during the previous two years.

But Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale was always confident his club would win an appeal, which was held in London on Tuesday.

Ridsdale and Viduka, however, were forced to wait 72 hours for the verdict from the DfEE, which finally cleared the 24-year-old to begin full-time training with the club.

With Leeds on a pre-season tour of Sweden, Viduka now looks set to play in the second of three matches against Lysekils.

A delighted Ridsdale said: ''We were always confident we would get the permit, and it is good to have it confirmed.''

Leeds had been aided in their quest to clear Viduka by Soccer Australia chiefs, including Socceroos coach Frank Farina.

l Aston Villa manager John Gregory remains determined to prise David Ginola away from Tottenham in a £3m deal.

The gifted 33-year-old winger is unsettled at White Hart Lane and it seemed he would end up back in his native France.

But Marseille are now believed to have cooled their interest in Ginola, leaving Villa with a clear run.

''I have told David's people that I want him to join us and help us to get into the Champions League,'' said Gregory.

''I know that Marseille have enquired about him and it is a question of whether he wants to return to France or stay in the Premiership.

''We are still apart when it comes to money but it is not an unbridgeable gap.