WALES manager Mark Hughes has told axed Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones he will always be his number one.

Jones, 36, confessed he has to quit St Mary's during the January transfer window after being dropped for the 1-0 loss at Newcastle in favour of the fit-again Antti Niemi.

It was hardly the ideal way for Jones to prepare for Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier against Serbia and Montenegro in Cardiff on Saturday.

But Hughes, a former Dell colleague of the goalkeeper's, has moved quickly to ease Jones' pain.

Hughes said: "I have spoken to Paul, he is not very happy with his situation and obviously feels he has had a good start to the season and should not have gone out of the Southampton side.

"But I have re-assured him that he is still my number one. Absolutely."

Jones was dropped last weekend despite conceding only four Premiership goals in seven matches - two of which had been in the opening ten minutes of the season at Leicester.

Hughes added: " What has happened will not effect his ability or performance this week. He is a good professional and trains well, I am pleased he is still with us.

"It is very early on his current situation, he has only just lost his place. He wants to be playing week in and week out, he can't see himself as a number two at this stage of his career.

"He wants to play as long as he can and that means first-team football. If that means he has to move, that will probably be the best for him. Given his age and ability, and his form this season, I do not believe he will have a lot of trouble finding a new club."

Saints winger Neil McCann has been ruled out of Scotland's Euro 2004 qualifier with Lithuania due to the ankle injury he picked up at Newcastle.