Sunderland striker Kevin Philips has admitted he has had a disapointing season but has vowed to be back to his best next time around.

Philips who has not scored in nine games has struggled to find the same goal scoring form he showed in the last two seasons at the Stadium of Light.

"I always knew that there would come a season where things didn't go well for me - this has been that season," he said.

"Many things haven't gone for me or for Sunderland this season, and I'll be glad to see the back of it. But in football, how you handle the not-so-good times is just as important, if not more important, than you handle the good times.

"And I've been determined that when I had a poor season, I'd learn from it and come back all the stronger." Added Philips.

Despire these comments, Philips failed to indicate where his future lies. There is continued speculation both in the North East and London that the striker will move to Spurs in the summer. Newly promoted Manchester City are also in the race accourding to recent newspaper reports.