Philips wants to go up rather than Cup
Veteran striker Kevin Phillips has admitted he would sacrifice FA Cup glory for a place back in the Barclays Premiership with West Brom.
Phillips will be visiting one of his happy hunting grounds when Albion take on Wolves in tomorrow lunchtime’s Black Country derby, having been on target there for Watford and Sunderland.
The 33-year-old has never progressed past the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in his lengthy career.
However, the ex England player would happily trade a place at the new Wembley in May to see Tony Mowbray’s side back in the top flight at the first attempt.
Phillips, who has netted 11 goals this season, told PA Sport: Everyone loves a cup run – no more than myself. I’ve been in the game a long time now and I’ve never had a really decent run in the FA Cup.
“The best I’ve ever achieved was the quarter-finals one season with Sunderland when we lost at home to my former club Watford 1-0. That was quite disappointing.
“Of course, I’d love to get to an FA Cup final – especially with it being the first one at the new Wembley – but the main priority is promotion.
“That’s your bread and butter and the Premiership is where you want to be. I’d sacrifice the FA Cup to gain promotion – although not in the next round against Wolves but the one after!”
Phillips can boast an excellent record in derby clashes, having been a hero at different times for Sunderland against Newcastle and Aston Villa against Birmingham.
He said: “My record in derbies isn’t bad and I’ve scored a few times at Molineux in my career. I scored there for Sunderland and Watford. It’s a good place to go.
“I was disappointed when I heard the game was moved to Sunday because it has messed my weekend up. I had something planned for the Saturday!
“But we can go to Molineux high on confidence after a good win last Saturday (at Leeds). Getting that away win under our belts after so long was important.”
Phillips is especially keen to make an impact on Sunday after missing Albion’s 3-0 win over Mick McCarthy’s side earlier in the season through injury.
“When we played Wolves at the Hawthorns earlier in the season, the lads were fantastic.
“I had to miss that through injury shortly after scoring a hat-trick against Ipswich. I was gutted. Everyone loves playing in derbies and, as I said, my record has been good in them.
“I am sure it will be a totally different game this time around but it’s a great one to look forward to. Molineux will be a fantastic atmosphere. I’ve played there when it’s been full before and the supporters really get behind their team.”
Striker John Hartson and midfielder Jason Koumas will be available to face Wolves after missing the win at Leeds while both serving a one match suspension.
Wanderers defender Jackie McNamara is struggling for fitness ahead of the game.
McNamara has been rated as 50-50 after picking up a groin strain while Jody Craddock’s return from an Achilles tendon injury is proving protracted and Jay Bothroyd has a thigh injury.
Rob Edwards and Gary Breen are back from one-game suspensions but Michael Kightly and new signing Andy Keogh are both cup-tied.
Charlie Mulgrew remains sidelined by an ankle knock, Lewis Gobern by hamstring trouble and Dan Jones has undergone a hernia operation.
Carl Cort has yet to recover from knee surgery and Gabor Gyepes, who underwent cruciate knee ligament surgery last year, has returned to Hungary for specialist treatment.
Goalkeepers Carl Ikeme and Michael Oakes remain sidelined by respective ankle and knee problems but Jan Budtz has been signed on loan from Doncaster as cover for first-choice Matt Murray.
