Phillips holds clear-the-air talks

Phillips was substituted half-way through the second half and his waves to the crowd as he walked off the pitch has started a flurry of speculation that he was ready to leave the Stadium of Light.

Phillips spoke to Wilkinson after the game and on Tuesday morning to clarify the situation and explain that his reaction has been misinterpreted.

Wilkinson said: "Kevin came to see me and said it was just a shrug of disappointment and said he wished he had not done it.

"He said it was directed at his wife in the stand and that he was just showing his disappointment at the way the game had gone.

"We spoke about it after the game and again in training and he said what he said. That is it."