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.

That is just what Saints and Wigley are in. Goalkeeper Antti Niemi’s likely three-week absence following a knee operation only makes matters worse.

“It is a big blow because Antti is probably our best player but James could be available. We will have to wait and see,” said a depressed Wigley after his side were hit for five by ninth-in-the-Championship Watford last night.

“We could be at our most healthy for a long time,” added the St Mary’s head coach who is still looking for his first Premiership win at the 11th attempt and could bring French winger Fabrice Fernandes and beanpole striker Peter Crouch also back in contention.

“The players shouldn’t need picking up,” he insists. “It is Portsmouth at home on Saturday and I’m confident there will be a positive reaction to that if they are the group of people I think they are.

“It is a massive game and if we can win that this defeat at Watford won’t exactly be forgotten – there’s no chance of that with me because the performance is a reflection on my ability – but it would certainly fade in the memory a bit.”