Chris Marsden was hoping to be given the all-clear today to play in the FA Cup final on May 17 after undergoing a precautionary scan on his troublesome knee.

Marsden limped out of Saturday's clash with Bolton with 23 minutes left after taking a knock on the knee with first indications looking bleak that he would be fit in time for the Cardiff showpiece a week on Saturday.

But the 34-year-old midfielder is now more confident that results will show no long-term damage, even though he will definitely now not be risked in tomorrow night's cup final rehearsal at Arsenal.

Manager Gordon Strachan is thought unlikely even to risk him in the final Premiership clash of the season at Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsenal are missing both Sol Campbell and Patrick Vieira for the clash at the Millennium Stadium next week but Marsden's absence from the final would have been a huge blow to Saints with Rory Delap and Jason Dodd already ruled out and David Prutton cup-tied.

Marsden has been outstanding this season and came fourth in the Daily Echo Saints Player-of-the-Season poll announced at the weekend.

Strachan was given a further boost yesterday with the news that Claus Lundekvam is fit again after sitting out Saturday's 0-0 draw with Bolton at St Mary's.

The central defender was rested for the Bolton game with a minor ankle injury and is expected to return to be given a run-out at Highbury tomorrow.

Manchester City could get themselves into big trouble with the Premier League after refusing to budge on Saints' ticket allocation for the last ever match to be played at Maine Road on Sunday.

Saints asked for a full allocation of 3,000 tickets as fans get into full voice ahead of the final but City want to reserve as many seats as possible for their own supporters as they wave farewell to what is now a crumbling Maine Road and are supplying just 1,305.

Fabrice Fernandes is once again the subject of transfer speculation in this morning national papers with Liverpool reported to be ready to make a £2.2m summer move for the Frenchman. The story was originally denied by both clubs in January.