SAINTS have issued a fresh warning to persistent standers at St Mary's.

In a club statement, Saints outlined their concern that fans have gone back to standing but thanked those who followed their pleas to remain seated earlier in the season.

It has previously been made clear that parts of the ground could close if fans do not stay seated during matches.

The statement said: "The club would like to thank all supporters who have complied with the requests to remain seated.

"However, the last few games have seen a significant increase in the number of supporters standing in certain sections of the stadium.

"We would remind all supporters that sections of the stadium will be closed at future matches by the licensing authorities unless there is full compliance with Ground Regu-lation 9, which states: 'Nobody may stand in any seating area whilst play is in progress.

"Persistent standing in seated areas whilst play is in progress is strictly forbidden and may result in ejection from the ground.'

"Any supporters identified as intimidating other supporters who wish to comply with the regulation will be dealt with very firmly by the club and will be banned from all areas of the stadium."

Antti Niemi will receive the player-of-the-year award for 2001/2 from Hearts fans who have travelled down from Edinburgh for today's match against West Brom.

The FA Cup sixth round clash at St Mary's next Sunday against Wolves has sold-out.