SAINTS boss Gordon Strachan has hit out at the "crazy" preparations he has had to contend with ahead of Wednesday's second leg.

Strachan had to endure a waiting game over the weekend before seeing whether any of his internationals picked up injuries.

He is already without midfielder Matt Oakley (knee) through injury while Graeme Le Saux (hamstring), Neil McCann (ankle), Chris Marsden (knee) and Brett Ormerod (ankle) are all doubts.

On international duty at the weekend were Michael and Anders Svensson, James Beattie, Claus Lundekvam, Jo Tessem, Paul Jones and Antti Niemi.

Strachan said: "Preparations for both Premiership and European ties are blown apart by international football these days.

"It is a crazy world but we have to put up with it.

"Internationals are the be all and end all, so we just have to pay the players' wages and let the respective Football Associations look after them.

"These days, the order of priority is international football, then the Champions League, and then the Premiership, with the UEFA Cup lagging some way behind. But it is a huge competition for us."

Steaua are favourites to progress after the 1-1 draw at St Mary's, but Strachan insisted: "It is certainly not a dead tie, we can go over there and score, and if we can do that we have a chance.

"I would really love it if we could get through because it has been a great experience for everyone, and I want it to continue for a bit longer."

The draw for the second round of the UEFA Cup, featuring 44 teams, will take place on Friday, October 17 in Switzerland (11am GMT).

The eight third-placed clubs at the end of the UEFA Champions League group stage will enter the competition in the third round.