WAYNE BRIDGE could be forgiven for feeling a bit lost when Saints take on Birmingham at St Mary's tomorrow.

As for the first time this campaign he will be lining up without midfield minder Chris Marsden in front of him.

Last season's player of the year is out through suspension, meaning manager Gordon Strachan will be forced to shuffle his midfield.

Earlier in the week former Saints manager Dave Merrington described Marsden as a "quiet hero" and the battling left-midfielder is certainly enjoyed another rock-solid season.

His defensive qualities have been crucial in the continued excellence of England international Bridge, with the duo almost able to take it in turns to overlap down the left or tuck in behind the other.

But with injuries thankfully scarce, it is one of the first major positional selection headaches that Strachan has faced all season.

With direct left-sided cover scarce in midfield, the most likely option is to switch Frenchman Fabrice Fernandes, another naturally left-footed player, from his position on the right.

There are options to cover Fernandes, with Andrei Kanchelskis or Jo Tessem possibilities - although the reliable Paul Telfer is perhaps most likely.

However with Saints currently flying high in the table and full of confidence, the fans would surely love Strachan to go with the attacking flair of Fernandes and Kanchelskis down either flank.

The other options to the Marsden dilemma are to either play Matthew Oakley, Rory Delap and Anders Svensson alongside Fernandes or push Bridge up into midfield with Marcus Hall replacing him at the back.

Whatever Strachan decides, Fernandes and Bridge are likely to be key men tomorrow - fortunately they have been two of Saints' best players this season.

The numerous viable options to replace Marsden only goes to illustrate the improved strength in depth of Saints' squad.

As ever, there has been much speculation surrounding possible signings when the transfer window re-opens in a few weeks time. But in truth there are no areas which currently require urgent surgery.

Indeed, the big test of Saints' ambition will not be who they buy, but whether there are many sales.

James Beattie, Bridge, Oakley, Fernandes and Michael Svensson are just some of the players whose value must have rocketed this season.

But they are, of course, exactly just the men the club must retain to cement a top-ten position, which is fast becoming a realistic ambition for the club.

Saints are one club who don't really need the forthcoming transfer window when it opens in the New Year.

And if they have bought no-one, but retained all their key players when it closes at the end of January, their supporters should be well satisfied.