SAINTS have been involved in plenty of close shaves over the years - but they have usually meant narrowly avoiding relegation.

Now five first-teamers have given a whole new meaning to the phrase by going for the close-cropped look.

Goalkeeper Antti Niemi, striker Brett Ormerod and midfielders Rory Delap, David Prutton and Neil McCann have paid a pre-season trip to the barber's and sported their new style for last Saturday's match with Aston Villa.

But they are just the latest to follow the trend.

Kevin Phillips and Danny Higginbotham already had the razor treatment last season while other squad members who lack flowing locks include Alan Blayney, Darren Kenton, Dexter Blackstock and Leon Best.

Could the streamlined look be a bid for extra speed? Or are the players merely paying tribute to the man who surely started it all off - former skipper Chris Marsden who is famous for his lack of hair?

And where will it all end? Will manager Paul Sturrock or chairman Rupert Lowe be reaching for the clippers?