HARRY REDKNAPP has revealed he would like to keep Jason Dodd in a coaching capacity with Saints.

Dodd is currently on-loan at Plymouth after falling out of the first-team reckoning at St Mary's.

He is undecided about whether he will look for another club to be sure of prolonging his distinguished career.

The 34-year-old's Saints contract expires at the end of this season and he is having his first spell away from the club since arriving from Bath City more than 16 years ago in March, 1989 for £50,000.

Redknapp is a fan of Dodd's leadership skills and dressing-room personality, but now has the likes of Rory Delap, Paul Telfer and Martin Cranie ahead of him in the right-back pecking order.

Yet he would like to see Dodd kept on at Saints when he does decide to retire.

"What a player he has been for Southampton - he is a legend," said Redknapp.

"He's done more for Southampton than I'll ever do.

"It's just he wasn't getting a game and it was difficult for him and that's why I let him go.

"Doddsey is the type of lad you would like to think there would be a position for. He's got a lot to offer, he's the type of lad you would like to stay at the club.

"He's given great service and he's a good character and he could be an excellent coach."

Dodd has appeared only five times for the first-team this season, making his last appearance in the 5-1 defeat at Tottenham.

But he has been performing well for Plymouth in the past weeks, helping them to four points in two home matches against Cardiff and Watford.

Dodd's loyalty and commitment have cemented his place in Saints' history and were key factors in the club maintaining their top-flight status throughout the 1990s.

He is comfortably the longest-serving current player and was awarded a testimonial in the penultimate match at The Dell in 2001.

In all competitions, Dodd has appeared 484 times for Saints, scoring 13 goals and playing under 12 different managers from Chris Nicholl through to Redknapp.