KEVIN PHILLIPS gave Harry Redknapp a timely reminder he's still a force to be reckoned with as he scored twice in Saints reserves' 5-0 romp against Norwich.
The £3.25m hitman had asked Redknapp for the reserve team run-out to gain some match practice, having only figured twice - in the two FA Cup ties against Brentford - since picking up an ankle injury in January.
And Phillips looked sharp and proved he is ready immediately if either injury or poor form sets in with Redknapp's current first choice pairing of Peter Crouch and Henri Camara.
The match at Staplewood was as one-sided as the score suggested with Saints fielding a few players with first team experience, along with a few youngsters.
Norwich on the other hand fielded almost exclusively youngsters and such was their desire not to risk anybody for their Premiership campaign they only brought one outfield sub with them.
Phillips put Saints into the lead on 17 minutes when Chris Baird, who along with Alan Blayney has been called up for the Northern Ireland squad to face England a week on Saturday, crossed and left Phillips with a simple finish from close range.
It took just four minutes for Saints to make it 2-0 with another striker with plenty of first team experience - Brett Ormerod - volleying home a fine effort from outside the box into the top corner.
Five minutes before half time it was 3-0 when the impressive Nathan Dyer celebrated his call-up to the England under-18 squad with a goal.
In his first reserve match, standing in for Neil McCann who was forced to drop out through illness, the pacy winger beat two men and fired inside the near post.
But that wasn't the end of the scoring before half time.
It became a rout two minutes later when Baird picked up Ormerod's cross, cut inside a Norwich defender and slotted home.
Incredibly there was almost time for another goal before half-time but this time Norwich keeper Paul Gallagher was able to deny Phillips.
It took 20 minutes of the second half for Saints to get another goal.
Gallagher produced a superb save from Dyer and from the resulting corner Kyle Critchell headed against the post and the ball fell to Phillips who calmly tapped home from right on the goal line.
The game died somewhat after that but Phillips had got the match practice he needed - and proved he is still on top form and ready for first team action.
SAINTS RES: Poke, Nilsson, Dodd, James (Condessa 80), Rudd, Critchell, Baird, Ormerod, Phillips, Sparv, Dyer (Dutton-Black 80). Subs: McNeil, Best, Richards.
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