MATT Le Tissier is set to make an emotional return to the St Mary's stadium in the coming weeks to be given the Freedom of the City.

The Saints legend, 34, is likely to be presented with a scroll on the pitch before an upcoming match by Southampton mayor, Councillor Brian Parnell.

Le Tissier retired from the professional game at the end of last season after scoring 209 goals in 462 games.

The campaign to grant him the highest available civic honour was launched in the summer when councillors at a full city council meeting voted overwhelmingly for it.

The standards and governance committee yesterday also gave it the thumbs up, and it will go back before full council on Wednesday.

Committee member Councillor Peter Wakeford said he was delighted in his former role as mayor to grant loyal Saints

servant Ted Bates the honour before a game 18 months ago.

"Matt has been a major influence for Southampton and probably deserved greater international recognition.

"Because of the type of individual he is, he is continuing to do work for the club as an ambassador."

Councillor Peter Baillie, who put forward the original motion in the summer, said: "I think he deserves it for, as much as anything, keeping them in the premiership over the years."

Councillor Jacqui Rayment said she felt there was equally, if not more, deserving contenders for the honour.

"I accept he has done an awful lot for Southampton but I think there are many other people in this city who work in different fields who are just as deserving of this accolade."

A Daily Echo telephone poll revealed huge support for the honour when the plans were first revealed, with 89 per cent of readers giving it the thumbs up.

Le Tissier made his debut for non-league Eastleigh last week, helping them to a 3-0 win in a Hampshire Cup match.