SAINTS starlet Nathan Dyer has spoken of the under 18s' desire to win the FA Youth Cup for coach Georges Prost, who has being diagnosed with cancer.

Prost is in hospital in France after undergoing an operation to remove a tumour on his neck.

The 57-year-old hopes to return to work in July, but in the meantime he has sent a good luck message to his under-18 side, who play the first leg of their FA Youth Cup semi-final against Wolves at St Mary's on Wednesday night (7pm).

Winger Dyer said: "It was a shock when we were told about Georges. Only the other day he was taking us for training and then we got the news that he had cancer.

"We were all stunned and now we just want to win the cup for him. He's been a great coach and a great influence on all of us, he's a lovely man.

"I know I've improved a lot under him, he's put a lot of emphasis on technique and has helped us to develop an attacking style that's brought us a lot of success."

Prost joined Saints as the academy's technical director in 2002 and this season he has led the under 18s to championship victory in group A of the Academy League.

Academy director Huw Jennings said: "Obviously we were devastated to hear of Georges' illness and the thoughts of all the players and the staff in the academy are with him and his family.

"The news we have so far is that the operation he had went well. It will be followed by a course of radiotherapy.

"Georges is hoping to return to work in July but in the meantime he is desperate for the players to continue their good work this season and has sent a message of good luck for the FA Youth Cup semi final against Wolves."

Head of youth Steve Wigley and reserve team coach Stewart Henderson will form the management team for the rest of the under 18s' FA Youth Cup campaign.

Admission for the first leg of the semi-final is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.

Cup favourites Saints, who are 8-13 on to win the tournament for the first time in the club's history, are playing for the right to face either Spurs or Ipswich in a two-legged final at the end of May.