ASSISTANT manager Jim Smith can sense the confidence returning to the Saints players - but he knows time's running out to turn good displays into three-point hauls.

Saints have dominated league matches against Everton and West Brom in recent weeks, yet had to settle for draws.

Smith said: "It was a good performance against West Brom but it's disappointing at the end of the day because we had so many good chances.

"The main thing is that we are creating chances and playing well - the only problem being that we are running out of games.

"If we had more games you would think there would be no problem so we have to take our chances. It was a blow on Tuesday because it would have given us a big lift to move out of the bottom three.

"But there are positives to take, we didn't get beat and there is a better look about the team with the new players."

Confidence was low when Saints manager Harry Redknapp took charge in December, but the arrivals of Calum Davenport, Jamie Redknapp, Nigel Quashie, Olivier Bernard and Henri Camara have lifted the team.

"Confidence is very important and it has been growing," said Smith. "The likes of Nigel Quashie, Jamie Redknapp and Henri Camara have come in and lifted us.

"Camara's pace gives us a real outlet and he is working well with Peter Crouch.

"We've also got Kevin Phillips and Brett Ormerod so there are players who are real goalscorers.

"It is good to have that competition."

Goalkeeper Antti Niemi is unlikely to have recovered from his recent cartilage operation in time for tomorrow's match.

But Anders Svensson could return to the squad following a virus which kept him out against Brentford and West Brom.

Fabrice Fernandes, though, may still be sidelined after taking a kick on an ankle in training last week.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will be without strikers Jose Antonio Reyes and Dennis Bergkamp.

Reyes, pictured above inset, was yesterday banned for three matches for violent conduct in the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Sheffield United on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Spanish international slapped Andy Liddell around the face in a fracas which also led to the dismissal of Dennis Bergkamp, who has also been banned for three games.

The double suspension leaves Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie as the only senior strikers at Wenger's disposal.

Both Bergkamp and Reyes will miss tomorrow's match against Saints, the replay against the Blades, as well as the Premiership matche against Portsmouth.

To compound Arsenal's misery, midfielder Edu is almost certainly out after picking up a hamstring injury in Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich, while England centre-back Sol Campbell is also sidelined.