ALEX McLeish has admitted that he simply couldn’t let Kevin Phillips through the Blues exit door on transfer window deadline day.

And the veteran striker’s recent renaissance looks set to continue as Eck said he would likely be playing a big part in the remainder of the season.

Phillips was influential in Blues 2-2 draw against Manchester City after being sent on as substitute.

He earned the equalising penalty and flitted around Nikola Zigic intelligently, jogging memories of the prolific little and large partnership he had with Niall Quinn at Sunderland.

McLeish said “There was a lot of interest in him on deadline day, yes. I had to bat it away. I thought I can’t let Phillips go.

“But, at the same time, I knew if I was keeping him, then I have got to be fair to him.

“So he has earned his introduction against Man City and we’ve got to think about him for the rest of the games.”