SUN COULD BE ECLIPSED AFTER MILLS SIGNING

Last updated : 13 July 2004 By Ben Collins

27-year-old Mills is Keegan's third summer signing and represents another attempt to bolster his defensive ranks.

Ben Thatcher's arrival was necessary to fill the vacant left-back role, but Mills will provide tough competition for Sun Jihai and David Sommeil on the right side of defence.

And with Sun Jihai set to miss the start of the season to play in the Asian Cup and having only a year left on his contract, the Chinese defender's long-term future hangs in the balance.

A former England interntional who played in the 2002 World Cup, Mills is some coup for Keegan.

His combative style often gets him into trouble but he has managed to curb this recently and Keegan will be hoping it inspires some much needed passion in the side after a lacklustre showing last season.