Kevin Phillips believes he still has plenty of football left in him, despite playing with a ruptured cruciate ligament.

The West Bromwich Albion striker made a goalscoring comeback after six weeks on the sidelines in a cameo substitute appearance during the 4-2 win over promotion rivals Charlton Athletic last Saturday.

He admitted he thought his career was over when he first suffered the injury and said a full tear would have presented him with a slim chance of making a return at his age.

Now the 34-year-old, who must adopt specialist training to protect the knee, is hoping he will be offered another contract when his current two-year Albion deal expires in the summer.

Phillips said: "It has been a frustrating six weeks and at one point I didn't think I would be coming back at all so I am just delighted to be out there, to get 15-20 minutes and to cap the day with the goal.

"I knew I would be involved in this game but I didn't want to let anyone know in case I had a setback, but it feels great to be back in the swing of things.

"We kept it pretty quiet that I had ruptured part of my cruciate.

"I have been one of the lucky players because I have been able to carry on with it.

"Normally it means an operation and you are out for eight months. If that had been the case, I am not sure if I would have been able to come back from that.

"I am delighted to have come through the worst of it but I still have to keep on top of it for the rest of my career.

"However, this performance gives me masses of confidence.

"A lot of players out there are able to play on with this injury and I feel I still have a few years to go.

"There is a chance that it could completely tear but there is a chance that anyone's cruciate can go. But I am not going to worry about that any more.

"I have come through that and it is pretty obvious that I can play again. Now I can't wait for next weekend after a good week of training."

Phillips said if manager Tony Mowbray doesn't offer him a new deal he will, reluctantly, look elsewhere.

"I would like to get a new deal but if I don't, I am sure someone will offer me one," Phillips added. "I would like to stay but I will have to see what happens. I haven't had any talks as of yet."

Former Aston Villa, Sunderland, and Southampton striker Phillips believes Albion have sent a clear signal to the rest of the Championship promotion hopefuls after the impressive victory over Charlton.

Phillips grabbed the fourth goal to complete a superb second-half display in front of the live TV cameras and leave the Baggies in pole position.

The performance underlined Albion's promotion credentials and, with several players making comebacks from injury this week, Phillips believes Albion can only get stronger.

"I hope we have sent a message out because that was the main aim," he said. "The early kick off and the fact it was on the TV gave us the opportunity.

"We have had a lot of injuries but everyone is back now and training again.

"I am sure the manager will have a massive headache this week.

"I think there was a lot of eyebrows raised when he brought in a big squad but last week, at Leicester City, typified why you need a big squad in this league.

"We were down to the bare bones but the team he sent out was tremendous.

"A couple of players who missed out this week after that performance have got to be disappointed but the side will probably be different next week.

"When you get your chance you have to take it."