MARIAN PAHARS will tonight aim to play his first competitive match for over five months.

The Latvian is expected to figure for Saints Reserves against Leicester at Kettering as he continues his gradual return from yet more injury hell.

Pahars has been back in full-training with the first-team in recent weeks and his eventual availability would come as an enormous boost to head coach Steve Wigley.

Saints have often lacked pace and creativity in recent months - qualities the explosive 5ft 9in forward possesses in abundance.

Still only 28, Pahars was Saints' top scorer in two of the three seasons before being struck down by two years of persistent groin and ankle injuries.

His last appearance in a Saints shirt came in a pre-season friendly at Swindon, when he took a kick to his ankle, a part of the body where he has had three previous operations.

But he's benefited in recent months from treatment with a specialist in Paris recommended by new first-team coach Christian Damiano.

Meanwhile, Antti Niemi (knee), James Beattie (calf) and Claus Lundekvam (virus) are established first-teamers who could come back into the reckoning for Saturday's showdown at Manchester United.

"They provide extra competition for places," said Wigley.

"At the moment, people can make a mistake and stay in the side as we are down to the bare bones. But, once we get all our players back, we definitely have enough to stay up.

"Of course our position is worrying - for everyone. And we can't ignore it.

"We have lost only one of our last six league games but we've drawn four. If we could convert just one or two of those draws to wins, we would pull clear."

Pahars' last extended spell in the first-team came exactly a year ago, when he helped Saints to four wins in five December matches - a run that pushed the team into a Champions League position at Christmas.