Squigy the incredible squirrel has gone nuts over Southampton’s promotion challenge.

Around 8.30am every morning, the famished Saints fan is at the James' back door, frantically scratching for breakfast.

And while Rita fills Squigy’s bowl with juicy hazelnuts, his eyes light up when husband, Chris, places a copy of the latest Daily Echo alongside him.

But Squigy is clearly not happy until Rita has opened it at the main football page.

He’s soon shaking with excitement, and seems to be reading the match report, and studying pictures of it.

With a smile, Rita says: “He’s fantastic. He never misses a morning. He loves his breakfast.

“Every day, we treat him with the best brand of hazelnuts.

“But it’s the way he looks at the Echo that makes us laugh.

“He seems to be taking it all in, like a proud Saints fan should.”

Chris, who attends every Saints home match, chipped in: “Squigy is the world’s most amazing football fan.

“Breakfast alone is not enough for him. He must have the Echo at his side.

“Rita always has a good natter with him, and it’s up-beat. Never politics. The last thing we want to do is make Squigy depressed.”

Chris has recorded the Saints crowd cheering a goal, and will play it when Squigy is reading a match report to create a live atmosphere, and to make him feel he’s actually at the ground.

A family friend would like to show Squigy the St. Mary’s dressing-rooms, and where the directors sit.

He’d stop short of buying a season ticket, but Rita’s tied a club scarf to a tall tree where Squigy has his branch office.

Chris adds: “If we go up to the Premier, we’ll celebrate on the lawn, and Squigy will be there, for sure. We dare not leave him out.”

Rita apologised that pictures of Squigy at the breakfast table were taken without the Echo at his side, but it was the morning after Saints had lost 3-0 to Bristol City, called the Robins, and the family didn’t want him to know and be depressed.

Chris added: “We actually have a robin in the garden and were worried they might fall out.

“We love all animals, and they know we’re a real soft touch, and may it continue.”

“Come on you Saints!”