KEVIN PHILLIPS admits he is happy to see the back of 2003.

The Saints striker has suffered the worst goal-drought of his career in recent months, having failed to score in the league since his opening day belter against Leicester way back on August 16.

The Foxes visit St Mary's tonight in the return Premiership clash, with Phillips short of confidence but determined to show Saints fans the sort of stunning form that made him the hottest striker in the Premiership just a few seasons ago.

He said: "The goal against Leicester seems a long-time ago. That was the first game of the season and this is the first Premiership game of the new year, so hopefully I can start in the same way and kick on.

"I've been disappointed with myself to be honest - but it's the start of a year and hopefully the start of a new Kevin Phillips.

"I've got to put it behind me and, hopefully, by the end of the season, I can score another ten, 11 or 12 goals.

"I had fantastic years at Sunderland and the last year-and-a-half has been very disappointing.

"Unfortunately, things in life don't always go how you want them to. It has been a difficult year - obviously the loss of my mum and being down here for three months without my family haven't been easy.

"But there are no excuses now. My family are settled, I'm settled and now it is time for me to start performing."

Manager Gordon Strachan has described Phillips as the best out-of-form striker he has ever seen and his link-up play has brought many plaudits since his £3.25m summer arrival at St Mary's.

But the 30-year-old accepts that scoring goals is ultimately all that matters.

"I'd swap it all now to start playing rubbish and score some goals," he said.

"When I was flying at Sunderland, I wasn't playing that well in games but scoring goals and I would take that now.

"I've found in the last year-and-a-half that, no matter how well you play, that if you don't score you still get criticised.

"Ideally, of course, I would like to play well and score goals."

He added: "I still enjoy playing football and coming into work. My confidence is low but I have the attitude to keep going, to keep plugging away.

"As long as you keep working hard, you can have a bit of luck - one can go in off your backside and that can kick-start the season.

"I've mustn't feel sorry for myself, just keep working hard."

Saints enter tonight's match on the back of successive defeats to Fulham, Arsenal and Newcastle but Phillips stresses that the club is still in contention for a strong Premiership finish.

He said: "Everyone thinks it's doom and gloom because we have lost a few games.

"Every team has a blip and we have had three games when we haven't performed.

"But the positive thing is that we have this game coming up so soon.

"There is nothing better than bouncing back with a home win for the fans. They are disappointed at the moment - they haven't had the best of Christmases and neither have we.

"Sometimes, a match like the one against Newcastle can be the kick up the backside that a team needs.

"A few weeks ago, we were fourth and, although we have now dropped down, another couple of wins and we'll be up to fourth again.

"It's still exciting times."