SAINTS boss Harry Redknapp is facing an anxious wait to see if he will be without HALF his first-choice side for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Manchester United.

Redknapp could be facing a selection headache with almost his entire regular back four struggling to be fit.

Claus Lundekvam, Rory Delap, Graeme Le Saux, Calum Davenport and Andreas Jakobsson are all battling for fitness.

That currently leaves just former Old Trafford trainee Danny Higginbotham as the only fully fit senior centre half with Michael Svensson ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

In addition, midfield regular Nigel Quashie is cup-tied and David Prutton suspended.

Antti Niemi has been training since last Wednesday after recovering from a cartilage operation and joined in a small-sided game for the time yesterday.

Redknapp now has to decide whether to risk him against United - Niemi has not played since February 2 at Birmingham - or continue with the outstanding Paul Smith.

He said: "At the moment it is not looking too good.

"Delap and Lundekvam will not be able to do any training until much later in the week, and we shall also have to wait to see how the others are.

"Niemi has only just returned to full training, so we will see how he goes before making any firm decision."

Delap, who has been playing at right-back in recent weeks, is upbeat about his chances of being fit, though.

The Republic of Ireland international was forced to limp off with an ankle injury just after half-time in Saints' 1-0 win over Tottenham last Saturday.

He said: "The ankle's the same one I did when I missed the FA Cup final.

"Obviously I came off Saturday and when I woke up on Sunday I couldn't walk on it.

"I've been having intensive treatment and it's started to settle down a bit and hopefully I have chance for the weekend."

Lundekvam and Le Saux are doubts after picking up knocks against Spurs.

Lundekvam has an injured ankle that he had to ice during half-time while Le Saux took a kick on his Achilles and has been unable to train since.

Davenport is working to overcome a calf strain while fellow centre half Jakobsson was unable to play at the weekend due to a back injury.

Saints winger Leandre Griffit has joined Championship strugglers Rotherham on a month's loan.

The 20-year-old has failed to make much of an impact at St Mary's since scoring on his debut against Blackburn in October 2003.

The French youngster has only made three sub appearances this season, the last against Crystal Palace in November.

Griffit spent a month's loan at Leeds in January but only made one sub appearance at Derby.

Griffit is the EIGHTH Saints player currently out on loan.

Elsewhere, strikers Dexter Blackstock and Kenwyne Jones are at Championship sides Plymouth and Stoke.

Defenders Darren Kenton (Leicester), Matthew Mills (Bournemouth) and Alledine Yahia (St Etienne) are also loaned out.

Young midfielder Andrew Surman is at Walsall while defender Mike Williamson has been at Wycombe all season.