HARRY REDKNAPP has told Kevin Phillips he remains vital for Saints' relegation run-in.

But the Saints boss concedes it is difficult currently to find a space in his starting team for the ex-England striker as he weighs up welcome selection headaches at both ends of the pitch ahead of Sunday's Premiership clash with Middlesbrough.

Redknapp was at Staplewood on Tuesday night to see Phillips score twice for the reserves in their 5-0 drubbing of Norwich and stake his claim for a place in the first team.

The former Sunderland man hasn't started a league game since January 15 at Newcastle as injury and then the form of Henri Camara and Peter Crouch have seen him frozen out.

But Redknapp is delighted to have such a competitive strikers department with Brett Ormerod also among the goals on Tues-day night.

"Kevin Phillips is a very important player for us - he is a terrific player, so it was no surprise to see him getting a few goals," said the Saints manager.

"But it has just been unfortunate for him. Henri Camara has come in and done terrific - he is the one player who gives the team real pace."

Redknapp has considered playing Crouch, Phillips and Camara in the same team but is highly unlikely to start with them all at The Riverside.

Camara is the only real option to play on the right of midfield but the Senegalese star constantly drifted into the centre to expose right-back Rory Delap when Redknapp experimented with that option in the 2-2 FA Cup draw with Brentford.

He said: "I have tried to play the three of them, but it's difficult. It is something you can do if the game is not going your way, but the problem is that you don't get any shape."

At the other end of the pitch, Redknapp must also decide whether to recall keeper Antti Niemi for in-form Paul Smith.

Niemi joined full training last week and was on the bench for the 4-0 FA Cup defeat against Manchester United, but will be targeting a return on Sunday.

Redknapp admits he could never have foreseen the scenario whereby Niemi and Phillips would both be fighting to get back into the team when they were struck down with injuries in January.

He added: "You wouldn't have thought that. They were two such key players but that is just the way it goes. It gives me a nice problem and we look a lot stronger than we did."

Reserve team boss Stuart Henderson praised the influence of Phillips and Ormerod on Tuesday night, adding: "Having Ormerod and Phillips up front for us did give us a huge threat.

"They both played very well, their finishing was spot on and I thought that, with their movement and hold-up play, they gave us so many options that it was probably the key to our win.

"I think the boss knows all about Kevin and he is a proven goal-scorer.

"He has got a tough decision to make but I don't think he will mind that with Kevin fit and available."