England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been told he will not be diluting the class factor by including Southampton’s Peter Crouch in his World Cup squad.

Southampton manager Harry Redknapp will give an immediate debut to new signing Nigel Quashie as he bids for his first Barclays Premiership win since taking charge of Southampton against Liverpool tomorrow.

Midfielders Anders Svensson and Fabrice Fernandes are both fit to return to Southampton’s squad as they bid to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation with a win at Newcastle tomorrow.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has admitted Chelsea’s “frightening” wealth has left his own club with little chance of winning the Barclays Premiership.

Defenders Graeme Le Saux and Jason Dodd face fitness tests as Southampton bid to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation with victory over Charlton on St Stephen's Day.

Southampton striker James Beattie has recovered from injury and is included in the squad for the Premiership clash at Tottenham tomorrow.

Southampton striker Marian Pahars has suffered yet another setback on his tortuous road to recovery from a damaged ankle.

Southampton head coach Steve Wigley will welcome three key players back to his squad for the trip to Manchester United.

Southampton keeper Antti Niemi has a knee injury and misses tomorrow’s relegation clash with Crystal Palace at St Mary’s.

Southampton 3 Colchester United 2

Brett Ormerod will play his third game in five days as Southampton host Colchester in the third round of the Carling Cup tomorrow.

Striker Brett Ormerod is available to bolster Southampton head coach Steve Wigley’s limited options in attack for their Premiership game against Birmingham on Sunday.

Southampton reserve team boss Stewart Henderson reckons Leandre Griffit and Arron Davies could be the next youngsters thrust into action for injury-hit Saints.

Teenager Leon Best is in line to make his full debut as Southampton head coach Steve Wigley faces a striker crisis ahead of his side’s match at Everton tomorrow.

Defender Claus Lundekvam has recovered from an ankle injury as Southampton head coach Steve Wigley bids for his first Barclays Premiership win against Manchester City tomorrow.

Captain Jason Dodd and midfielder Matthew Oakley are still missing for the visit of Newcastle on Sunday as Southampton head coach Steve Wigley bids for his first victory since taking charge.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Rory Delap has revealed that Southampton are determined to give their supporters something to cheer about against Blackburn tomorrow.

Striker James Beattie is expected to miss Southampton’s opening game of the new season at Aston Villa tomorrow through injury.

Southampton are hopeful striker Marian Pahars will be fit for the start of the Premiership campaign.

DAVID BECKHAM, Roberto Carlos and Fabien Barthez are not players you would normally expect to see at the Asian Cup.

LATVIA striker Marian Pahars claimed that English referee Mike Riley did not award a penalty against Germany in the goalless draw between the Group D rivals because he was overawed by the occasion.

Rudi Voller believes Germany are still on course for a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 after being held 0-0 by supposed tournament minnows Latvia at the Estadio do Bessa yesterday.

Germany coach Rudi Voller has fulfilled his promise to pick a more attacking line-up for the Group D match with Latvia at Porto’s Estadio do Bessa as he sought the goals that could give his side a crucial edge in what is considered to be the tournament’s “Group of Death”.

Latvia striker Marian Pahars lost his fitness battle to start the Group D Euro 2004 match with the Czech Republic at Aveiro’s colourful Estadio Municipal in what is the biggest moment in the Baltic nation’s football history.

Latvia will wait until just before kick-off before deciding whether to field Southampton striker Marian Pahars against the Czech Republic in their Euro 2004 opener on today.

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson gambled on a recall for Kieron Dyer in place of enigmatic Frenchman Laurent Robert as the Magpies’ desperate Champions League chase took them to Southampton.

Graeme Le Saux’s season could be over and his future at Southampton plunged into doubt as new manager Paul Sturrock starts to redesign his squad for next term.

Defender Michael Svensson is again ruled out by injury as Southampton bid to boost their hopes of clinching a place in Europe with victory against Bolton tomorrow.

Manchester City were edged closer to the relegation zone by a 3-1 defeat at home to Southampton on a day when attention shifted to the painful end of the Premiership table.

Defenders Michael Svensson and Graeme Le Saux are pushing for recalls to Southampton’s side as manager Paul Sturrock bids for his fourth win in five games at Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Two of the Premiership’s big-money strikers were on target on a busy night of international friendlies last night.

Adrian Mutu scored twice as Romania outclassed Georgia 3-0 at the Cyprus International Tournament, which also features the hosts, Belarus, Hungary, Latvia, Kazakhstan and Armenia.

Arsenal 2 Southampton 0

Southampton 0 Newcastle 3

Southampton striker Marian Pahars is winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow’s FA Cup third round clash at home to Newcastle after missing the last two matches with a thigh strain.

GARY JOHNSON has perhaps the most unusual curriculum vitae in the depths of Division Three.

ARSENE WENGER expects Southampton to be fired up for revenge when Arsenal put English football’s only unbeaten league record on the line at St Mary’s tonight.

Agustin Delgado hopes he will get the chance to score his first league goal for Southampton when Arsenal visit St Mary’s tonight to end a 13-month grievance.

Arsene Wenger expects Southampton to be fired up for revenge when Arsenal put English football’s only unbeaten league record on the line at St Mary’s tomorrow.

Southampton's Latvian striker Marian Pahars is doubtful for the visit of Arsenal after missing the 2-0 defeat at Fulham with a thigh strain.

Fulham 2 Southampton 0

Marian Pahars was the surprise omission from Gordon Strachan’s Southampton squad to face Fulham.

Southampton midfielder Rory Delap is chasing a return to the first team for tomorrow’s trip to Fulham.

Midfielder Rory Delap is trying to shake off an ankle injury in time for Southampton’s away clash with Fulham on Boxing Day.