ANTTI NIEMI is hoping his great goalkeeping rival Paul Jones will decide to remain at Saints.

Jones is pondering leaving St Mary's after five and a half years, following Strachan's decision to drop him in place of Niemi for the second time this season.

The 35-year-old wants to protect his international position with Wales and is fearful of ending his career on the substitutes' bench.

Niemi even admitted he thought Jones had probably done enough with a man-of-the-match performance against Newcastle last week to keep his place.

He said: "I was obviously pleased to be picked, but I was a bit surprised as Jonah had such a good game, but I was pleasantly surprised.

"I do have sympathy with Jonah - he is a smashing guy and he has been one of the best goalkeepers in the league this season.

"Unfortunately there is only one goalkeeper's position.

"It's different for the strikers or midfielders and you could maybe change things around.

"It is now up to him what he does, but I hope he stays.

"We have a great goalkeeping unit and we all back whoever is in.

"But he is an experienced goalkeeper, a great guy to work with and he will make his own decision."

Finnish international Niemi was pleased with his performance at Elland Road and revealed that it had been a major confidence boost to get the nod ahead of Jones.

He added: "It's great for my confidence that the manager has brought me back in.

"The manager asked if I was fit and I said I felt okay. And I'm glad I repaid the manager's confidence and did a good job.

"I didn't have a huge lot to do, the only thing that was bothering me was the kicking, but everything was fine.

"The team did well and we were not afraid of Leeds even though they had some good players."

Manager Gordon Strachan described the choice between Niemi and Jones, pictured, as 'huge' and said: "I spoke to Paul Jones and he is extremely disappointed, but he understands and he appreciates the honesty.

"It is never easy telling good people they are not playing.

"He knows what I think and he is okay with how we get on."

Niemi knows it will be a tough game against Chelsea on Boxing Day and believes the West-Londoners are genuine title-contenders after having lost only twice all season.

Their last defeat was to a last-minute winner at Anfield in October, and their sole home defeat of the season a 3-2 loss to basement outfit West Ham in September.

He said: "I've never played against Chelsea, but they are a very good side and a different test. Previously they were not so consistent and were down a bit.

"But they have some good players and are playing well. Our away form good also be better.

"I do think Chelsea are genuine title challengers - they seem to have a good team spirit."

Saints' Republic of Ireland international Rory Delap, meanwhile, believes one of the reasons for the team's surge into the Premiership top ten is the competition for places in Strachan's squad.

Saints go to Chelsea on Boxing Day with three wins and two draws from their previous five league matches.

And Delap reckons the battle for positions in midfield in particular has given Strachan a pleasant headache in deciding who to leave out of his starting line up.

Delap said: "We have some top class midfield players and no one can be sure of a place when we are at full strength. There are no automatic choices.

"On the right we have Fabrice Fernandes who is so good that he can hold the ball for a couple of minutes at a time.

"Fabrice has really developed this season.

"On the left we have Chris Marsden who is our most experienced midfield player and a tremendous player to have in the side for his know-how and his influence.

"Then in the middle it is two from myself, Anders Svensson and Matt Oakley. All of us feel we should be in the team.

"Anders had a great World Cup for Sweden and is like Fernandes in that he can hold the ball and pass it, and Matt is up and down the pitch and is also a great passer.

"If you get injured you have to wait a couple of weeks, maybe more, to get back in and then you have to make sure you hold on to your place.

"It is great for the team and great for the manager, but not so good for the players out of the team."

Saints will still be without injury victims Jason Dodd, Agustin Delgado and Marian Pahars for the festive match.

In yesterday's Echo we incorrectly stated the kick off time for Sunderland's visit to St Mary's next Saturday was 12 noon. It is in fact 3pm. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Southampton's Premiership match against Spurs on New Year's Day is a complete sell-out.