Phillips loses shirt in Sunderland shake-up

The clearest indication yet that Kevin Phillips’ future lies away from Sunderland came today when his number 10 shirt was handed to Marcus Stewart.

Manager Mick McCarthy revealed his hand as the new squad numbers were announced, and Phillips, who will wear 19 if he is still at the club when the big kick-off arrives on August 9, is not the only big name to be affected.