Phillips happy playing on | Football News | Sky Sports

Birmingham City veteran Kevin Phillips believes he can play Premier League football for another season after scoring against Bolton.

The 37-year-old crucially found the back of the net just four minutes into Saturday's vital 2-1 success over Bolton at St Andrews.

The three-point haul moved Blues two points clear of third-from-bottom West Ham and Phillips was pleased with his contribution throughout the contest.

The former West Brom and Sunderland marksman is happy with his current level of fitness and feels he will only get stronger as he starts more games.

Phillips is not worried by age and feels that his goal against Bolton proves he can handle another year of top-flight football.

Confirmation

"I said after the game a few weeks ago that I wanted starts and I felt I was getting stronger as the game went on, it was the same again (on Saturday),"said Phillips.

"We had a week off after Wigan and I felt good, had a little cramp at the end but that's natural.

"I'd like to think I'll get a run in the team now. I'll only get fitter and (Saturday) only confirmed to me I can definitely play at this level for another year, without a shadow of a doubt.

"At the end of the day, it's personal, I want to play, I'm happy and I showed I can still play in the Prem.

"I may not run the channels as much as I used to do but I'd like to think I cause other problems. And at the right time, in the right areas, I can still score goals."

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Bale will travel to Spain | Football News | Sky Sports

Gareth Bale will fly out to Spain with the Tottenham squad on Monday ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.

The left winger was a doubt for the quarter-final first leg after missing the goalless Premier League draw at Wigan on Saturday with a hamstring problem.

Bale had been forced to return to Tottenham early from international duty with Wales last week after his fitness problem was identified.

But he was in good enough shape to take part in training on Sunday and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is set to make a late decision ahead of the Bernabeu clash with Jose Mourinho's Real.

Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond toldSky Sports Newsof Bale:"He trained this morning.

Late shout

"Obviously he has had to be looked after since he came back from the Welsh squad.

"We are hopeful Gareth will be fit but it will be a late shout. We are not 100 per cent sure and it depends how he reacts to getting involved in full training."

England winger Aaron Lennon also had a non-contact session on Sunday morning after suffering a knock at Wigan and his fitness will be monitored over the next couple of days.

Centre-back William Gallas is likely to head for Spain, although he is still struggling with his knee problem.

One player who will miss the Real game is right-back Alan Hutton who is out for the rest of the season as he is set to undergo knee surgery.

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Diao defends Stoke style | Football News | Sky Sports

Stoke City midfielder Salif Diao has defended the club's style of play, insisting that they do not have to play pretty football.

The Senegalese international is now in a player-coach role after being re-signed by manager Tony Pulis, despite initially being released at the end of last season.

The 34-year-old spoke glowingly about the changes happening at the club, but warned that they were not going to alter their direct approach any time soon.

"The coach (Pulis) is using a simple statistic: more than 60% of goals are scored from inside the box. So why 15 passes in the midfield if you can reach it in just one pass?"he said.

"Throw-ins? Teams have adapted. Some, such as Burnley, put the advertising boards half a metre from the pitch for (Rory) Delap to not be able to take a run-up.

Physical

"We have a style some people don't like. It is very physical. I am 1 metre 86 but I don't go in the box on attacking corner, I'm too small.

"If some Stoke fans expect beautiful football, they risk wasting their time. We are not Barcelona here."

The former Liverpool enforcer admitted that it took time to settle at the Britannia Stadium when he joined in 2006, when Stoke were then struggling in the Championship.

"When I came, the club were playing to salvation in the Championship. For training sessions we have to get changed in the stadium changing room, then take the car to go to the Michelin factory training pitches where the employees go jogging,"he added.

"The coach teased us: 'To sign a player, we show him the stadium. If he can see the training centre, he would not sign!' Last year, we were still getting changed in a Portakabin."

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Downing makes Villa vow | Football News | Sky Sports

Stewart Downing has promised to remain at Aston Villa even if they suffer relegation from the Premier League.

The England winger has been in fine form and boosted his chances of regular international action with an impressive performance in England's 1-1 draw with Ghana at Wembley in midweek.

However, speculation has suggested the likes of Downing and team-mate Ashley Young could leave Villa Park at the end of the season.

The transfer talk would only intensify if Gerard Houllier's men dropped out of the top flight and they are currently embroiled in a scrap for survival alongside at least half the teams in the division.

Downing is determined not to finish in the bottom three, but has pledged his future to the club even if the worst does happen.

The winger recognises that he owes a lot to Villa after they signed him when he was out with a broken ankle which delayed his debut for eight months.

Faith

Asked if he would guarantee being at Villa next season, the winger said:"Yes. Obviously there is speculation about players going to clubs all the time but I am happy here.

"Since the first day I came I have enjoyed it. The pleasing thing for me this season has been to play well and to stay fit and be in the team.

"I have not even thought about leaving at any time. A lot faith went in to me.

"The club paid a lot of money for me when I was injured and it was a serious injury.

"I want to repay that faith and so do a lot of the other players as well.

"They have been bought for decent money and they want to do well as well."

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