SAINTS are very unlikely to succeed in any appeal over the eligibility of Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani.

There have been suggestions that Saints could try and force the Premier League to order a replay of last week's 2-1 defeat at St Andrew's after it emerged that Uruguayan hitman Pandiani, who opened the scoring, was registered AFTER the midnight deadline on the day the transfer window shut.

However, the Premier League have told the Daily Echo the confusion has arisen due to the League's fax machine being busy with Tottenham sending through last minute registration forms for Michael Dawson.

They confirmed that Birmingham had unsuccessfully tried to fax before the deadline so telephoned the League in advance of midnight and were told that because of the technological problems at the other end their new signing, on loan from Deportivo, would be honoured.

A Premier League spokesman said: "Walter Pandiani is a legally registered player.

"Birmingham were trying to send through the fax but because the fax machine was busy the club phoned the Premier League and the matter was referred to our general secretary.

"He said that as all the details and forms were complete the registration would be fine and to get the fax through as soon they could and that was done."

Saints could still choose to appeal with chairman Rupert Lowe due to cast an eye over the situation today before deciding what if any action to take.

Harry Redknapp yesterday admitted he was not happy about the situation, having had to replay a League Cup match against Aston Villa in 1999/2000 when fielding an ineligible player during his time as West Ham boss.

The Hammers won a quarter-final tie on penalties at Villa Park but were ordered to replay the tie after Manny Omoyimni came on as a substitute in the final eight minutes of extra time.

The Nigerian-born striker was cup-tied, having played for Gillingham in both legs of their second round tie with Bolton.

Redknapp's misery was compounded when Villa won the replay 3-1 at Upton Park!

He recalled: "I played Manny Omoyinmi for a couple of minutes against Villa in the League Cup a few years ago - there isn't a great deal of difference.

"We had to replay the game because he'd already played for someone else.

"What's the difference this time?

"This could effectively decide who is relegated and who's not.

"He played against Manchester United and hit the bar. I wish the ball had gone in and Birmingham had sneaked a point.

"If United's power was behind a protest as well, it would be very interesting."

Saints fan David Cross contacted the Daily Echo to voice his incredulity at Birmingham escaping any punishment.

"This is another illustration of the mis-use of power at the FA," he said.

"They may say there was a good reason, but rules are rules and here the FA is just trying to get themselves off the hook by letting it go through even if it was a few minutes after the deadline elapsed.

"What if the referee makes mistakes and blows two minutes early ...or two minutes late?

"Do we change the rules? Of course not. In all this situation, when it is quite obvious that the transfer was 'accepted' illegally - after the deadline - it does pose one more question.

"Why couldn't the FA, with all their money and resources, have gone down the road to Dixons and bought another fax machine?

"On a day so important to the clubs with this deadline imposed by FIFA /UEFA, we suddenly see officials making their own decisions about who has signed in time and who hasn't and blame it on technology.

"Heads should roll in the FA administration when they have to admit that THE fax machine, the only one in the building, got jammed! Disgusting!

"As the player in question scored an important goal and changed the face of the game, of course it matters that he was ILLEGAL at the time he scored.

"Let's replay the match and, if necessary, take points away from Birmingham too."