ANTTI NIEMI will return to the Saints team to face Middlesbrough tomorrow.

The Finnish international will get the nod ahead of Paul Smith as Harry Redknapp aims to lead Saints to their first away Premiership victory at injury ravaged Boro.

Smith has started the last seven Saints matches and has impressed with a string of superb performances that included a run of six games unbeaten.

But Redknapp will turn back to his number one tomorrow who has fully recovered from the cartilage op he underwent last month.

Redknapp said: "It's difficult but I need to get Niemi back in the team.

"He's top class and for me as good as anybody in the Premier League.

"The boy Paul Smith has done great but I will go with experience this week.

"Niemi's just an outstanding goalkeeper.

"The other lad's come in and done himself no harm whatsoever.

"He's turned in terrific performances but I'll go with experience."

He added: "I've never had to chop and change keepers too much, I've normally had somebody who's been miles better than the second choice.

"This kid's come in and put himself right in the picture. A month ago I wouldn't have put him anywhere near Niemi.

"I hadn't seen that much of him and he had no experience in the first team.

"He's come in and put in excellent performances in the first team but Niemi's as good as anybody around and I'm going to go with that bit of experience."

Redknapp is also boosted by the return to fitness of Rory Delap, Claus Lundekvam, Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Le Saux while Nigel Quashie also returns to the side after being cup tied for 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United last week.

"We've got people back which is nice," added Redknapp.

"Delap's back, Quashie's back, Jamie's fit, Graeme's fit and Niemi as well.

"It's a big boost to us because you need your experienced players and your top players playing.

"This is a game we're looking to go and win.

"We need to win a couple of away games if we can. We've got five games away and they're not impossible games.

"They're not Man United, Arsenal or Chelsea away, they're games where you've got a chance and we've got to pick up some points in these games."