Soccer: Strachan takes long hard look to get faltering Saints firing

GORDON STRACHAN is looking long and hard at his squad as Southampton attempt to get their season back up and running with victory over Leicester tonight.

Following a promising start to the season which saw Saints climb as high as fourth in the Premiership, a poor run over Christmas has left Strachan questioning the commitment of his players.

The Scot claimed too many of his men were scared in the 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on December 29 and says he does not know where to start after watching last season's FA Cup finalists thumped 3-0 by Newcastle in the third round on Sunday.

Southampton have not scored for three games, and Strachan is adamant he will leave no stone unturned as he bids to return to winning ways.

"Four weeks ago we were talking about the Champions League, but now we are looking at ways of halting a bad run. The disappointment of getting beaten is huge, and it gets no easier because Leicester are a good side. They have drawn against Arsenal and Newcastle so it is going to be another tough game."

The performance of defender David Prutton has been one plus for the Southampton manager, after the former Nottingham Forest man stepped up to fill the gap left by long-term injury absentee Matt Oakley.

Despite recovering from a hamstring problem, Graeme Le Saux remains unavailable as he tries to shake off a slight foot injury. But otherwise Strachan has a full squad to choose from.

Southampton have, meanwhile, offered Norwegian left-back Oyvind Svenning who plays for GIF Sundsvall in Sweden a second trial after he impressed during his first spell on the south coast in November.

Nikos Dabizas has arrived at Leicester following the Greece international's transfer from Newcastle and goes straight into the Foxes' squad.