Phillips hopes for final success

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips is hoping to banish his play-off final heartache and fire Blackpool back into the Premier League.

The 38-year-old has twice suffered defeat in the Wembley showpiece in the past. He was on the losing side when the Black Cats were beaten on penalties by Charlton in 1998. Phillips was also a losing finalist with West Brom in 2007.

Now he's hoping that it will be third time lucky when the Seasiders face West Ham in this year's final on Saturday.

He said: "Really looking forward to it [Saturday's final].

"I have played in two of them, and lost two unfortunately. So let's hope that changes at the weekend.

"But I suppose when you get to this stage of my career, you enjoy everything a lot more because I know I haven't got too long left. So I'm really going to enjoy this occasion at the weekend, really enjoy the build-up and I can't wait for Saturday."

Phillips hasn't let age get the better of him either. He's still found the net 17 times this season, and he's looking forward to another Premier League campaign should Blackpool win tomorrow.

"I'll be 39 going into next season. Going into the best league in the world.

"I suppose having four kids keeps me running around, keeps me on my toes. There's all sorts of things.

"But I think just knowledge of knowing when it does finish. You're a long time retired and people keep telling me that.

"I certainly look after myself, and I enjoy what I do."

Kevin Phillips has scored more than 250 goals for clubs including Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa, West Brom, Birmingham, and Blackpool.