Strachan waits on defensive duo

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan faces an anxious wait to see if key defenders Jason Dodd and Claus Lundekvam are fit to face Newcastle in the FA Cup third round at St Mary’s tomorrow.

Dodd and Lundekvam missed the home defeat by Arsenal earlier this week and are rated as doubtful as Saints prepare to take on ex-Saint Alan Shearer.

Lundekvam has flu while Dodd is nursing a leg injury and in their absence Strachan may give further chances to rookie deputies Chris Baird and Fitz Hall.

Strachan may also recall Fabrice Fernandes and Anders Svensson, both of whom hope to leave in the current transfer window.

The angry Saints boss accused his players of being frightened of Arsenal and conceded that his team had been fortunate only to lose 1-0 in the Barclaycard Premiership on Monday.

Strachan said: “This is an important match for us and a chance for the players to show what they can do against good opposition.”