STEVE WIGLEY was delighted with the impact of debutant Andreas Jakobsson as Saints eased to their first clean sheet of the season.

Previously they had shipped some eight goals in four matches, but Saints were back to their characteristic meanness in defence during last night's goalless draw with Charlton.

"If you give goals up early it is hard to win in the Premier League," said head coach Wigley.

"It had got to the stage where we were having to score two or three to win a game.

"We've got back to basics and limited them to very few opportunities."

Jakobsson signed for Saints on the transfer window deadline day at the end of August from Danish club Brondby and has spent the past ten days familiarising himself with the English game.

The extra time on the training ground certainly looked to have paid off with the £1m Swede slotting in effortlessly alongside Claus Lundekvam in central defence.

Wigley said: "Andreas Jakobsson has had an opportunity to have an idea of English football just so he knew what the tempo would be.

"We have had a ten-day break and Andreas has retired from international football, so we have been able to get him used to what English football is all about and he has benefited from that."

Lundekvam also gave one of his best displays of the season with goalkeeper Antti Niemi not seriously tested throughout.

"The Chelsea game and last night, Claus was back to himself which is a top-class centre-half," said Wigley.

"He benefited with Andreas alongside him and the pair of them have got experience and I'm sure they will enjoy playing with one another."

Darren Kenton replaced Paul Telfer at right-back last night and gave the back-four extra pace, but was forced off midway through the second half.

Fabrice Fernandes and Graeme Le Saux also suffered knocks, but Wigley is hopeful they will all be available for the visit of Graeme Souness's Newcastle on Sunday.

"Darren turned his ankle and it was getting worse, but hopefully he will be fit for Sunday," he said.

"Fabrice Fernandes's hamstring just cramped up again, but fingers crossed that they are okay. Graeme's was a bang on the head."