NIGEL QUASHIE is almost certainly out of tomorrow's trip to Bolton and could be a doubt for his Fratton Park return next Sunday.

The influential Saints midfielder damaged knee ligaments in a late clash with Carlton Cole in Saturday's dismal loss against Aston Villa and was stretchered off in agony.

The Scottish international has been a key man for Saints since he joined from Portsmouth in January for £2.1m.

And Harry Redknapp will be hoping that the damage is not as bad as it first seemed - especially as he has not got a lot of options in the centre.

The manager said: "I don't know how bad it is.

"Nigel's hurt his knee ligaments. It's too early to say exactly what's wrong or how long he'll be out for, I don't know."

It seems almost certain that even if the damage is not as serious as initially feared, tomorrow's trip to The Reebok will come too soon for him.

That is likely to mean that Jamie Redknapp will definitely have to figure tomorrow and against Portsmouth at Fratton Park - despite the prospect of three games in eight days.

The manager's son has yet to play three games in a week since signing for Saints in order to rest a long-standing knee problem.

Harry Redknapp, however, will have to decide who to partner his son in the middle.

The obvious choice is Matt Oakley, who featured in all five of Saints' FA Cup ties this year but who last played in the Premiership at Manchester City on New Year's Day, when he came off at half-time.

One other option might be to revert to playing Rory Delap in the centre of midfield rather than at right-back, but then that leaves a gap there.

Paul Telfer could be moved from right midfield to right-back and another man brought in in midfield.

Alternatively, Chris Baird - who hasn't played at all for Saints this season - or 18-year-old Martin Cranie could play at right-back.

Saints are also waiting on the fitness of centre half Andreas Jakobsson. The former Sweden international had to be replaced at half-time due to a hip injury.

He is also a doubt for tomorrow's game against a Bolton side who have only lost twice in 13 Premiership matches in 2005 - at Liverpool and Newcastle - and who are unbeaten at home since December 28.