SAINTS strikers Marian Pahars and Agustin Delgado are facing further surgery.
Both players have had injury wrecked seasons and are almost certainly out of the FA Cup final against Arsenal, with Rory Delap and Jason Dodd also major doubts.
Pahars' has already had two
operations on his ankle, but he remains in pain when he attempts to kick the ball.
Physio Jim Joyce said: "He gets so far and then hits a brick wall and we need to make the breakthrough so we are seeing someone else to determine where we go from here."
Pahars has struggled all season following summer surgery on a
hernia, scoring just once and injury has kept him out of the first-team since November.
Delgado, who last year had
operations on his troublesome knee, is still getting pain from his back problem and may need surgery to resolve it.
He has seen a back consultant who has recommended injection therapies but if that does not work then he may have an operation.
As reported in later editions of the Echo, Sol Campbell is now definitely out of the Cup final after his red card and four-match ban for an elbow on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Manchester Utd was upheld.
Arsenal will also be missing the injured Edu while Patrick Vieira is a doubt with a knee problem.
Promising midfielder Arron Davies could be in line for a place on the bench for Saints against Chalton this afternoon.
The 18-year-old has put in a string of excellent displays for the reserves in recent weeks, scoring in the 2-2 draw against Derby on Tuesday night.
Manager Gordon Strachan has seen his midfield options limited this week after an ankle injury to record signing Rory Delap.
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