Wigley praying for Derby salvation

James Beattie could be rushed back into Premiership action as Steve Wigley fights for his job as Southampton boss in the local derby against Portsmouth on Saturday after a crushing and humiliating 5-2 Carling Cup defeat by Watford.

Star striker Beattie, still warmly tipped to join Aston Villa in January despite Saints’ illegal approach charge against them, has missed six games with a double fracture of a toe but returned to training this week – and desperate times call for desperate measures.