Kevin Phillips has claimed that new Sunderland striker Kyle Lafferty can make himself a club legend if he fires the Black Cats to promotion back to the Championship this season.

Lafferty joined Sunderland on a deal until the end of the season earlier in the January transfer window, having previously been a free agent following his release from Norwegian side Sarpsborg 08 at the end of last year.

The 32-year-old made his debut for Phil Parkinson's side on Saturday afternoon, coming off the bench for the last 13 minutes of their 1-0 win at MK Dons, and Phillips certainly seems to be excited by the striker's prospects at the Stadium of Light.

Speaking to Football Insider about Lafferty, Phillips - who scored 130 goals in 235 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland between 1997 and 2003 - said: “I think it’s a good free signing.

“Of course he’s experienced – I think certainly in League One it’ll be difficult but he’s built for that kind of tough league. It’s physical but he’s a big, strong, powerful lad."

Discussing what Lafferty could bring to Sunderland during his time at the club, Phillips continued: “He’s got an eye for goal and Sunderland haven’t scored that many goals this season – I was there at the weekend [against Wycombe Wanderers on January 11th] and watched them score four, but I thought they were excellent.

“Anyone going in there now who could potentially help them secure a play-off spot or automatic promotion – if he can go in and score the goals to get them there he’ll make himself a club legend straight away.

“For a free signing, with his experience, I think it’s invaluable.”

Sunderland are currently sixth in the League One standings, six points adrift of the automatic promotion spots after 25 league games of their season.

The Verdict

I can see what Phillips means here.

It is pretty clear that Sunderland are understandably desperate to win promotion back to the Championship as soon as possible, so anyone who plays a big part in making that happen is likely to go down in club folklore at the Stadium of Light.

Given Lafferty's experience and capability when it comes to scoring goals, he is certainly someone who is in a strong position to make that sort of contribution for the Blacks Cats in the coming months.

Indeed, with his deal with the club only until the end of the season, Lafferty's ability to do that could have just as big a say on his future, as that of the club itself.