Kevin Phillips has revealed the tension inside the England camp when he publicly voiced his fears that he will be among the six men dumped by Kevin Keegan from his Euro 2000 squad.

Although Keegan's options for the European Championship were reduced when he was forced to rule both Jamie Redknapp and Ray Parlour out of the equation, it has not lessened the apprehension felt by a third of those left in the frame for places in the final 22.

Despite ending his first Premiership season as the leading scorer in the top flight with 30 goals, Sunderland striker Phillips believes it will be him, rather than Andy Cole, who will receive the dread knock on the door from Keegan this afternoon.

Phillips said: 'I have got a feeling that I will be the one who misses out. I have scored 30 goals and had a magnificent season, but the manager knows in his mind what he wants.'

The 26-year-old Phillips has watched Keegan design a training programme specifically with Robbie Fowler in mind over recent days, and after being given just six minutes against Brazil at Wembley fears his chances have gone.

He said: 'It's frustrating because I would have liked to have got a bit longer. It's virtually impossible to make an impression in six minutes. In an ideal world I would have liked to have played the second half. Even 20 minutes would have been better - but the manager has got his own ideas.

'He may opt for experience now that Robbie's coming back and Andy and Michael Owen have proved their fitness.'

Phillips' fear may prove misplaced and it still seems likely that he will get the nod ahead of Cole.

Goalkeeper David James and defender Rio Ferdinand are the others most likely to miss out. But that will prevent a sleepless nights for four or five others. Nick Barmby, the uncapped Gareth Barry, Richard Wright, and even the Neville brothers will have been anxious.

Keegan knows he must find the right way to break the bad news to those he has to disappoint. 'I will do it after training,' he said. 'I know the six and I'm going to do it individually.'

However he dresses the message up, it will be scant consolation. Two years ago, Glenn Hoddle summoned the players to see him in La Manga ahead of the World Cup. The result was Paul Gascoigne trashing the coach's room and tears from Phil Neville.

Keegan is desperate to avoid that situation and said: 'If we get injuries against Malta we can fetch people in. I don't want the ones who are not with us shooting off halfway across the world. I want to know where they are and where they're going. I'll tell them to keep training.

'If any of them refuse, I can't consider them. I don't think they will.'

The focus on Tuesday night was on Redknapp and Parlour. Keegan said: 'It's a bitter disappointment. But I've told them they'll be involved next season against France and in the World Cup qualifiers.'

Redknapp, forced to miss France 98 through injury and whose participation in Euro 96 was also cut short, said: 'All I can do is wish the other players the best of luck.'

Parlour, who damaged knee ligaments in an injury-time collision with Roberto Carlos on Saturday, said: 'As soon as I was tackled I knew I had a problem.'