SAINTS defender Chris Baird maintained his remarkable record of being a virtual ever present for his country while unable to win even a bit-part role in his club's battle against relegation.

Baird won rave reviews for his performance in the 2003 FA Cup final when he was Gordon Strachan's shock selection for the Cardiff showpiece.

But since that glorious day in his career, Baird has only started one match for Saints - at home to the Gunners in the league last season - plus two sub appearances.

Along with Jo Tessem, he is the only senior professional at St Mary's not to have played a single minute of first-team football this season under Paul Sturrock, Steve Wigley or Harry Redknapp.

But throughout that time Baird has been a regular for Northern Ireland at right-back and again completed 90 minutes in last night's 1-0 home friendly loss to Canada.

That means he is in pole position to face David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and co when Ireland travel to Old Trafford to face England in a World Cup qualifier on March 26.

Canada won last night through Oliver Occean's 32nd-minute winner - which came 10 minutes after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Gabriel Gervais for two bookings.

Anders Svensson, who has failed to start the last two Saints matches, played the full 90 minutes as Sweden held France 1-1 last night.

Svensson was booked while Mikael Nilsson, another played who lost his place in the first team at St Mary's after the FA Cup win against Portsmouth, failed to come off the bench.

Freddie Ljungberg opened the scoring for Sweden early on against a side containing Highbury colleagues Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry but David Trezeguet levelled before half-time.

Saints striker Kenwyne Jones completed 90 minutes in Trinidad and Tobago's 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat against the United States.

Claus Lundekvam also played 90 minutes as Norway scored three late goals to win in Malta.

New St Mary's darling Henri Camara failed to make it three goals in three games when his Senegal side were beaten 1-0 in a friendly in Cameroon.

Martin Cranie captained England under-19s in a 1-1 friendly draw in Belgium.

Cranie played centre-back with fellow Saint Dexter Blackstock, currently on loan at Plymouth, coming on as a half-time substitute.

A third Saint, central defender Matthew Mills, stayed on the bench.

Saints striker Leon Best climbed off the bench for the Republic of Ireland Under-19s in their 3-0 win in Norway.