McCarthy is close to losing his shining star Phillips

KEVIN PHILLIPS’ love affair with Sunderland is close to ending in divorce.

Manager Mick McCarthy has admitted that he does not expect the England striker to be at the club for very much longer as talks over his future continue.

And that was reflected in yesterday's announcement of the squad numbers for the new season, which saw Phillips handed the number 19 shirt and Marcus Stewart take over the number 10 he once wore with such pride and to great effect during the Peter Reid era.