Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips believes that bookies' favourite Martin O'Neill would be a "great" replacement for sacked Steve Bruce.

The Black Cats boss parted company with the Premier League side following a run of disappointing results.

While the 38-year-old believes that the players are partly to blame for Bruce's dismissal, Phillips has admitted that he is not 'surprised' by the decision.

"I hear Martin O'Neill is the clear favourite and I think that would be a great acquisition for the club," Phillips told talkSPORT. "Talking with my Sunderland I would certainly like to see Martin O'Neill in the job.

"[Bruce's sacking] is certainly no surprise to me. No-one likes to see any manager lose their job but having played in the North East for six years I know how passionate the supporters are and how vocal they can be.

"Once they turn on you it can become near on impossible to continue in a job and obviously that's what the board have seen."

Bruce has been victim of the first Premier League managerial sacking of the season.