Premiership: Hoddle: Richards call-up a matter of time

Glenn Hoddle believes it is only a matter of time before Dean Richards receives an England call-up.

The defender has been in outstanding form for the Saints this season and was rock-solid in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

But he may find it difficult to force his way past the new crop of defenders including Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand.

Hoddle said: "If it doesn't happen for Dean Richards now, it will happen at some stage. He has the ability and if he keeps improving he can become an England centre-back."

Hoddle, so distraught after Saints' FA Cup humiliation by Tranmere, suddenly looked like a man who had won the Lottery after guiding his side to their second away win of the season.

He said: "It was a nice feeling to be in the dressing room after this. I thought we deserved it and it was good to see Mark Draper get his first goal for the club."

Draper finished off a sweet passing move involving Jo Tessem and James Beattie.