CHRIS BAIRD is due to win his fifth international cap today.

The youngster is due to keep his place in the Northern Ireland side for his country's final Euro 2004 qualifier in Greece.

But the 21-year-old Saints defender, who impressed in the FA Cup Final last season, finds himself out of the first team picture at St Mary's

Baird's appearance against Arsenal last May was his second, and last, first team start, and last month he was sent out to Walsall on a month's loan.

There he intends to make it hard for Gordon Strachan to leave him out when he returns to Saints.

"I was playing in the reserves at Southampton," said Baird, who helped Walsall win their first two games he played in at home to Gillingham and Preston.

"The first team have been playing well and getting results so it has been hard to break into the team.

"I don't think Gordon Strachan would have changed anything, but I thought if I came to Walsall at least I'll get first team football.

"I want to impress Gordon Strachan and get myself into the Premiership.

"That's my main objective - to play well here (at Walsall) and hopefully Southampton will notice how I'm playing and I'll get my chance there."