The Irish, Wearside legend, is prepared to make a sensational bid to bring all three back to the Stadium Of Light.
With less than two weeks until the Championship opens its doors to thousands of football-starved fans, Sunderland have only made one signing - Kenny Cunningham.
Phillips was a true hero for Sunderland, scoring bags of goals in a striking partnership with…you guessed it, Niall Quinn. He later moved on to Southampton and Aston Villa.
Goalkeeper, Mart Poom, was best known on Wearside for his stunning header which earned Sunderland a point against his former club, Derby County. He was given the nickname ‘POOMINATOR' by the red and white faithful and was given a standing ovation when he returned to the Stadium Of Light last season with his current club, Arsenal.
Young Justin Hoyte was only with Sunderland for one season, but made a big impact. The defender joined Sunderland on-loan from Arsenal but he truly looked, red and white, through and through. He put tonnes of effort into games even when things were looking dreadful. At the last home game of the season, he left his team-mates behind in order to thank the fans for their support, before passionately throwing his kit into the red and white army.