Quinn shows interest in move for Phillips

Sunderland boss Niall Quinn admits he is interested in bringing old team-mate Kevin Phillips back to Wearside from Aston Villa if the opportunity arises.

Quinn is preparing the side for a Coca-Cola Championship promotion challenge and admits Phillips would be a useful addition to the Black Cats squad, although he will wait for the outcome of the on-going takeover bid and manager search at Villa Park if necessary.

“I’ve made a couple of enquiries about Kevin but the situation at Aston Villa is that nothing is happening until the ownership/managerial situation is resolved,” Quinn told Sky Sports News.

“Kevin is someone who I don’t think would come here and play 46 games scoring 30 goals. But in terms of standards of professionalism, he is a guy who in training is the most impressive man I have ever worked with.

“I wanted someone like him around to show the guys what it’s like to make the leap up and get the best out of themselves.

“To have him around the place would be special. But I understand he is an Aston Villa player, I understand the predicament they find themselves in but if he ever did become available, then hopefully he would want to come.”

Quinn insists he is not in the race to sign Sheffield United striker Geoff Horsfield, however.

“We’ve got some good forwards here and we haven’t made any enquiries about Geoff,” said the new Sunderland chairman/manager.