ANTTI NIEMI made an assured Saints debut on Saturday - but conceded he could still be on the bench next week.

The Finnish international kept a clean sheet and produced several excellent saves as Southampton were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Charlton at St Mary's.

Niemi said he was pleased with his performance, but acknowledged the challenge of Welshman Paul Jones, who was dropped after his mistake handed West Brom a 1-0 win last week.

He said: "Jonah has done well this season and only made one mistake. There is competition throughout the team and I am certainly no different.

"I don't think one clean sheet means that I keep my place.

"I understood I wouldn't go straight into the team when I arrived and I am not a person to make demands. I have just worked hard.

"I have always wanted to play in the Premiership - it is the best league in the world.

"But on Monday it is back to hard work and we start again."

Niemi pulled off one exceptional save in injury time of the first-half when he brilliantly kept out Claus Jensen's 25-yard top corner free-kick.

But the 30-year-old modestly said: "It was quite a long-range shot and I think I should have saved it."

Niemi revealed manager Gordon Strachan told him he was playing on Friday.

He said: "I was told on Friday and I was not really nervous. I was just looking forward to it and proud to be there.

"I'm pretty pleased with the way I played, I had a few saves to make and made them OK - it's good to keep a clean sheet.

"Charlton didn't create too many chances and so I wasn't under a huge amount of pressure.

"Overall I am pleased with my debut, I wanted to enjoy it and personally I couldn't have asked for too much more.

"I didn't have much to do but what I did do I did well."

Strachan said of Niemi: "We gave him time to settle in at the club and his debut has been timed about right. He's kept a clean sheet and done well."