McLeish ponders handing rare Birmingham start to Phillips

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is unsure about starting man of the moment Kevin Phillips tonight against West Ham United.

McLeish has to decide whether to give a rare start to striker Phillips after his brace as a substitute against Wolves, particularly with Christian Benitez sidelined with an ankle injury.

He said: "It's not an easy decision because Kevin's confidence will be sky-high after the weekend.

"But I spoke to him at the beginning of the season about his role and I felt he would be better as an impact player for us.

"When defences are getting a bit tired, and we can pin opposition back in their own box, then there's nobody better to have at your disposal than Kevin Phillips.

"Would I be doing him a favour starting games? I would have to communicate with him about that, be adult and grown up about it, and whether I feel I'm doing him a favour starting remains to be seen.

"You never know. He might start banging in goals from the start of games as well. But my tactical brain and my experience tells me that he may be more effective using him the way we did at the weekend."