Southampton ready to handle any side now, boasts Strachan

GORDON STRACHAN believes Southampton can “go toe-to-toe with anybody” as they go into today’s match against Sunderland at St Mary’s Stadium on the back of a fine recent run.

Southampton are unbeaten in six matches following Thursday’s goalless draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and are firmly established in the top half of the Premiership table.

And Saints boss Strachan feels his side are starting to reap the rewards of their hard-work in recent weeks. He said: “We are doing alright. We’ve got a nice glow about us. I feel confident the can go toe-to-toe with anybody with respect to other teams as well, as we know that any team can beat us.

“I watched David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Ruud Van Nistelrooy and their work-rate is great, they’re incredible at closing down.

“Ian Rush used to be brilliant at it and Peter Beardsley, so we work on the theory that if we can get to them, it’ll be easier for us most of the time.”

That hard-working spirit is epitomised by central defender Michael Svensson, who performed heroics to keep Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink quiet at Stamford Bridge.

And Svensson was pleased with the partnership he has formed with Claus Lundekvam at the heart of the Saints’ defence.

“Me and Claus co-operate very well and we are all playing well together. I just do my job and hope it’s good enough,” he said

The Swede was looking forward to the visit of Sunderland, who continue to struggle against relegation, but Svensson claimed he and his team-mates would be taking nothing for granted against Howard Wilkinson’s team. “It’s the Premier League and they are becoming stronger and stronger so we have to be prepared for that on Saturday,” he said.

“We have to keep winning at home. We haven’t lost their for a while and of course it’s our home ground so we want to win.”

Strachan is unlikely to make any dramatic alterations to his side for the game.

He said: “I think there’s one or two bumps and bruises, but unfortunately I can’t change the team too much so we’ll just have to get on with it.

“ The maximum we could do is one or two changes but that’s it.”

Sunderland’s David Bellion is out of the clash with ankle and heel injuries.

Manager Howard Wilkinson revealed Bellion reported the injuries during training at Christmas, which led to him missing Thursday’s defeat at home to Leeds. It means Michael Proctor is likely to retain his place in the starting line-up.

Michael Ingham will continue as back-up goalkeeper for Jurgen Macho as Mart Poom, on loan from Derby as cover for the injured Thomas Sorensen and Thomas Myhre, continues to struggle with a back problem.