BRETT Ormerod returns to Saints on Saturday evening - and is eligible to face Birmingham in Sunday's crunch Premiership match.

But it looks like a massive ask as he completes his loan spell for Leeds against Brighton the previous day, meaning the St Mary's 2pm showdown would be his second game in less than 24 hours.

Saints yesterday admitted two matches in two days might be too much, with 18-year-olds Leon Best and Dexter Blackstock looking likely to again lead the attack for Steve Wigley's injury- ravaged side.

But it is just possible there might be a place on the bench for the 28-year-old.

"I wouldn't like to say about Sunday," said Ormerod.

"I don't know the exact situation at Southampton. It wouldn't be easy to play two games in two games but we'll just have to wait and see."

The imminent return of Ormerod - a key member of the team which finished eighth in the Premiership and reached the FA Cup final back in 2003 - comes as a big boost and will help ease head coach Wigley's injury crisis.

The striker has recovered from the calf scare he picked up with Leeds last Saturday and he came through Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Reading without any problems.

Ormerod said: "I'm alright. I just got a kick on the calf. Before Tuesday's game, I wasn't sure I would be fit, but the physios did quite a bit of work on it and it was okay.

"I got a few knocks last Saturday and my calf just seized up. I'm playing at Brighton on Saturday and then I'm coming back to Southampton."

Ormerod started the season's opener against Aston Villa, but then fell behind James Beattie, Kevin Phillips, Peter Crouch and Best in the pecking-order before going on loan at Elland Road.

But with the other senior strikers all currently injured, he looks likely to get his chance at Arsenal a week on Saturday even if he does not feature in the Birmingham game.

Ormerod admits he is desperate to win back his first-team place.

"I'm really looking forward to coming back," he said.

"I've enjoyed my time at Leeds and it has been good to get some games in, but now I'm hoping to play some games for Southampton."

Chris Baird (ankle), Claus Lundekvam (ill) and Graeme Le Saux (knee) could also come into contention on Sunday after being sidelined from Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Everton.

Beattie (toe), Phillips (calf), Crouch (knee), Marian Pahars (ankle), Matthew Oakley (knee), Jason Dodd (back) and Michael Svensson (knee) all remain sidelined.

"We are just starting to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel," said physio Jim Joyce.

"Hopefully we will have three back for Sunday and after that we can see a few returning little by little - providing we don't pick up any more knocks."