ANDREI KANCHELSKIS has told Gordon Strachan he is ready for Premiership football.

The Russian winger admits he was not at full fitness when he signed at the end of August, but now says he is back at his best.

Kanchelskis has so far only appeared once for the first-team, coming on as a substitute against Everton just 12 days after joining.

But he underlined his improving form last week with a goal for the reserves in their 3-0 win against West Ham.

He said: "When I came on against Everton my fitness levels were not so good, but now I am ready to play.

"Life is OK in Southampton, but now I want to play regular football.

"I was pleased to score for the reserves, but the reserves is a different game.

"I feel that I am ready for the Premiership and I think I can still do well against the top clubs.

"It is a great league, with some excellent teams and I would like to be playing."

The excellent form of Frenchman Fabrice Fernandes on the right side of midfield is currently the 33-year-old's main obstacle, with Paul Telfer and Jo Tessem also possible rivals for that position.

But at his best, the quality of Kanchelskis is supreme.

For five years at Old Trafford he terrorised opposition defences with his scorching pace, helping Manchester Utd to every domestic honour between 1992 and 1994.

His goalscoring ability was another vital part of his game and he commanded £13m in subsequent transfers to Everton and Italian giants Fiorentina.

Despite playing at some of the biggest clubs in the world, Kanchelskis says he has been impressed with the set-up at St Mary's.

"I remember the old ground at The Dell and the new one is much, much bigger," he said.

"There is a great stand and a nice pitch. It is good for the club and very good for the fans.

"The training facilities are also very good. I enjoy it here and I am very, very pleased to be here. The people in Southampton have been very good to me as well."

Kanchleskis added that he felt Arsenal and Liverpool were now setting the standards in English football ahead of his old club Manchester United.

"Manchester United have lost some great players at the moment - Roy Keane, David Beckham and Nicky Butt," he said.

"I think they have really missed Keane. We will have a better idea after Christmas, but it seems that Arsenal and Liverpool are the best at the moment."