Kevin Phillips, Birmingham City’s master marksman, is hoping that he has again jogged Alex McLeish’s memory.

Phillips scored a sumptuous and typically instinctive goal in Blues’ valiant FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Bolton Wanderers on a rare start.

And he is keen that it has helped press his case for further inclusion during the Premier League run-in.

Phillip has yet to start a league match this season. More often than not he has been an unused option on the substitutes’ bench.

But he has shown that unerring eye for goal in the cup competitions.

He has found the back of the net each time he has started in the Carling and FA Cups, the goals coming against Brentford and Coventry City previously.

“All I can do when I’m given the chance is try and do well,” he said.

“I really enjoyed it on Saturday and I thought I was getting stronger as the game went on.

“It’s not bad, three starts and three goals this season – you can’t argue with that!

“Whether I will get more games, you will have to ask the manager that. It’s up to him but I’m no different to anyone in that I want to play.”

McLeish said he would have Phillips in mind as Blues try to secure their Premier League status. They travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday for a classic six-pointer.

“He’s amazing,” said McLeish, who paired Phillips with Cameron Jerome. “Kevin’s still a fantastic finisher and still so clever; he’ll never lose that.