SAINTS legend Matt Le Tissier will have half an eye on a St Mary's return when he makes his competitive debut for Eastleigh next Wednesday.

Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell has named the former Saints and England star for the Hampshire Senior Cup tie against Newport at Ten Acres.

And Doswell smiled: "Knowing that the final is held at St Mary's may well be an extra spur for Matt!"

Le Tiss caused a stir when he signed on the dotted line for Jewson Wessex League high-fliers Eastleigh before last Saturday's FA Vase clash with Deal, which Doswell's side won 4-0.

The Eastleigh boss revealed that Le Tissier will play half a dozen games, starting with the county cup tie against Newport from the Dr Martens Southern League Eastern Division.

But there's no saying that, if Eastleigh have a good cup run, he might be tempted to play a few games more.

After hanging up his boots on a glorious career with Saints, Le Tissier promised his friend, ex-Saint David Hughes, who works alongside Doswell, that he would turn out for Eastleigh when his commitments allowed.

And the man from the Channel Islands has been as good as his word.

He first wore Eastleigh colours in a pre-season friendly against Bashley but the business will be far more serious against Newport, when Le Tiss will be given his favoured role of playing just behind the front two.

Eastleigh's strong links with Saints took another turn this week when St Mary's skipper Jason Dodd took a midweek training session with the Jewson Wessex League high-flyers.

Doswell explained: "Matt politely gave it a miss, because part of Jason's session was power running!"

The cup tie against Newport has an extra edge with the ex-Newport keeper Colin Matthews now between the sticks for Eastleigh.

"Matt's presence in the side will give us and our supporters a huge lift for what will be a difficult cup tie against a Newport side who have really turned the corner since Steve Tate took over as manager."

But Doswell admitted: "Our ambitions this season are to win the Wessex League and move up into the Southern League.

"So I would trade going out of all the cups for a place at the top of the table."