Phillips scored twice in Tuesday's friendly win at Leicester

Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips accepts he will have to get used to squad rotation this season but thinks that will benefit the team.

Phillips, 35, is one of five front-line forwards at Blues and knows he will have to take his turn on the bench.

"I can't play week-in, week-out and at no point did the manager say I was guaranteed a first-team place.

"I understand that. There are so many games in this league. All I can do is keep myself sharp," he told BBC WM.

Phillips has been in good form in Blues pre-season games and he knows that, along with Cameron Jerome, Gary O'Connor, James McFadden and Marcus Bent, he will be fighting for a regular starting place.

"That's good. The manager would rather have it that way and so would I," Phillips continued.

"It keeps everyone on their toes and you've got to be on top of your game. I've got to keep producing, even in training."

Blues have won all their pre-season games so far and take on Premier League Fulham at St Andrew's on Saturday.