SAINTS' relegation battle was potentially dealt a big blow following injuries to star players Antti Niemi and Kevin Phillips.

The duo were both forced off during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle and manager Harry Redknapp is now facing an agonising wait for news of the key pair's injuries.

The initial indication is that Niemi stands more chance of being fit for next Saturday's Sky-televised clash with Liverpool at St Mary's and Saints are also hopeful that nine-goal top scorer Phillips will not be out in the long-term.

Niemi was stretchered from the field clutching his knee after a collision with Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi in the fifth minute.

It came as Saints' on-loa central defender Calum Davenport conceded a controversial penalty as he tussled with Ameobi.

Captain Phillips then suffered an ankle injury in the dying minutes of the game when he blocked a Jermaine Jenas shot. He immediately hobbled off.

Goalscorer Peter Crouch also took a blow to his knee late on but stayed on as three subs had already been used.

Physio Jim Joyce said: "Antti took studs to a kneecap and could not move it.

"He had to come off but we are hopeful there is no lasting damage.

"Kev blocked a shot with his right ankle which was bent back by the force.

"It is swollen and sore but he is a quick healer so we are hopeful he will not be out too long.

"It does not look a long-term one at this stage but we need to have a good look at him.

"And Peter Crouch took studs to the outside of his right knee. It is too early to say if they will be fit for next week though."

Manager Harry Redknapp could scarcely believe his luck and desperately wants to see a swift return for what have been three of Saints' best players this season.

He said: "Phillips has picked up a bad ankle injury. I don't know how long he will be out for.

"If he's injured we will miss him that's for sure, but I'm not sure how bad he is.

"Kevin will be important to us. We can't afford to lose him - he's too important to us.

"I've made him captain and he has responded and turned in good performances.

"Antti's done his knee. We don't know how bad it is at the moment and we will have to wait and see.

"Paul Smith did well, but you need your big men available."

Redknapp was unhappy about the penalty decision, which helped Saints stretch their miserable run to just one win in the last 21 Premiership matches.

He said: "We could not have got off to a worse start, losing the keeper and conceding a penalty after just five minutes.

"At that point I thought it was going to be one of those days but the lads showed a lot of character.

"It was a dreadful start.It was a diabolical decision to give a penalty.

"It looked to me as though both players were tugging each other and then Ameobi slid in on Niemi who was carried off.

"I'm not blaming Ameobi because it was a 50-50 ball but next thing the referee awards a penalty which I found strange."