THERE are further potential gems-in-the-making in the Saints Academy below Leon Best and Dexter Blackstock.
And they could get their chance to impress Saints fans at St Mary's tomorrow.
David McGoldrick, just 16, has started the last two reserve matches - playing up front with Best and Blackstock against West Ham at St Mary's a fortnight ago and at Crystal Palace last week.
Like Best, he was also signed from League Two strugglers Notts County - in his case back in September after turning down an academy contract at Meadow Lane.
And like Best, he was signed for an initial £50,000 which could rise to £500,000 depending upon appearances.
McGoldrick will almost certainly start against Arsenal at St Mary's for the reserves tomorrow.
And also in the squad will be someone even younger, 15-year-old Theo Walcott.
Walcott became the youngest player ever to turn out for Saints' reserves when he played against Watford at St Mary's last month, and he has since played as a sub against Pompey.
"People must remember that Theo is very, very young," said reserve boss Stewart Henderson, "but he is also very good."
Walcott missed last week's trip to Palace through illness, while Arron Davies - who was included in Gordon Strachan's 18-strong FA Cup final squad - was absent on Welsh Under-21 international duty.
Davies, though, is back this week and will also play against Arsenal - and if Best and Blackstock went down injured in training this week could even be included in the first-team squad against Birmingham next Sunday.
"We certainly won't be risking many senior players against Arsenal," confirmed Henderson.
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