PAUL JONES has received words of encouragement from the Saint most likely to prosper from his Hawthorns blunder.

Finnish international Antti Niemi says goalkeeper Jones has been one of Saints' best players this season despite the mistake that handed West Brom a 1-0 win last Saturday.

The £2m signing from Hearts is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Jones for the Southampton goalkeeper's jersey but admits it would be harsh for the Welshman to lose his place against Charlton at St Mary's tomorrow.

Niemi said: "I felt sorry for him at West Brom because he has arguably been our best player recently. He has been brilliant and only made one mistake all season.

"It is just unfortunate for Jonah as the mistake cost a goal. But he has been OK this week - he is 35-years-old, experienced and seen it all before.

"He knows it is the future which matters most.

"We should have killed the game early against West Brom and what we need is more goals. The next match is a must win game."

Niemi admitted he didn't have a clue whether he was in line for a debut against Charlton - a club he was on loan with before moving to Hearts in 1999.

He said: "I have no idea whether I am playing. It is always a possibility and I suppose it is a difficult decision for the manager.

"It has been a bit strange not to be playing as I have been used to playing every Saturday for the past few years.

"But I have only just got here and I am not the sort of player to make demands.

"I have a five-year contract, so I have plenty of time to make my debut.

"I know quite a few of the lads at Charlton as I was on loan there for about a month when I was at Rangers.

"I didn't play in the first team, but I played in the reserves.

"I know Jonatan Johansson very well and met up with him the other day. He had a very good first season last year and is a top player."

Goalkeeping mistakes have hit the headlines this week and Niemi also backed his countryman Peter Enckelman to recover from his Aston Villa blunder against Birmingham.

He said: "As a goalkeeper everyone looks to you if you play well and if you play badly everyone notices.

"Every game you see at least one outfield player miss the ball, but if a goalkeeper does it there is almost certainly a goal.

"Enckleman is a strong character and should be OK. These things happen and people do forgive."

Manager Gordon Strachan was keeping quiet about who his goalkeeper will be for the Charlton match.

He said there were always difficult decisions in all areas of the pitch and that Jones should not shoulder the blame for the defeat at West Brom.