FA Cup semi-final winning captain Chris Marsden has admitted he can't comprehend what Saints have achieved.

Marsden led his teammates to victory against Watford on Sunday to reach the club's first FA Cup final for 27 years.

Saints are also still comfortably mid-table in the Premiership and are only seven points off of seventh place with six league games left.

But following the Villa Park triumph the city has already started to gear up for the FA Cup final showdown with Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium on May 17. And Marsden, pictured celebrating at Villa Park, confessed: "I don't think we, as a group of players, have quite taken in what Sunday's win means.

"300 million people across the world will be watching the FA Cup final - once you say that you realise what it is, but it's still hard to comprehend.

"I never really thought about how I would feel if I got to this stage. You can imagine it but to really be there is just a great feeling inside.

"FA Cup finals don't come along every day of the week and that day will be so special as well."

Marsden added: "Paul Jones has played for Wales at the Millennium Stadium and has said what a fantastic stadium it is and you can only look forward to it from now on."

Before the showpiece final Saints have to conclude their league campaign with six games in the next 24 days.

They start that demanding run-in with an Easter weekend double header against Leeds at St Mary's on Saturday and Birmingham at St Andrews on Monday.

Marsden, who needed six stitches in the back of his calf after getting studded against Watford, will miss both games through suspension.

David Prutton, cup tied last weekend, could slot in on the left on midfield as he did when Marsden was rested against Fulham and Aston Villa to ensure his availability for Watford.

Anders Svensson, who returned from an ankle injury to start last Sunday, could switch to the left with Rory Delap coming into the centre of midfield for his first start in seven weeks following knee ligament damage.

Marsden's absence is likely to be the sole change from the starting XI at Villa Park with Antti Niemi still struggling with a jarred knee.

Marsden, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of Saints continuing their recent good form which has seen them unbeaten in six league and matches, though they have only won once in the Premiership since January 28 and that against relegation-haunted West Brom.

He said: "The cup final will obviously be another great occasion but the league is still very important - both financially for the club and for the players.

"We have worked very hard throughout the season to get into a good position in the league and we don't want to throw that away in the last six games.

"We'll still be trying to win every game until the end of the season and, if we are on good form going into the cup final, that will help us as well."

blob Gordon Strachan and Matt Le Tissier are just two of the stars expected to play in a charity football match at Basingstoke next month.

An ex-Saints XI are scheduled to play an Ex-Reading XI at Basingstoke Town's Camrose Ground on Friday, May 2 (7.30pm kick off) in aid of the Wessex Cancer Trust Basingstoke Appeal.

Other ex-players who have pledged their support are Neil Webb, Jimmy Case, Kevin Dillon, Mark Dennis and Alan Knight.

Tickets are priced at £3 adults and £1 for under-16s and are available from Basingstoke Police Station, the Basingstoke Gazette/Observer offices or on the gate. The ticket hotline is 07831 477691.