Gordon Strachan takes his Saints side to Old Trafford tomorrow for the first game of a gruelling run that sees them play seven league matches in four weeks - all against teams in the top seven of the Premiership.

The Saints boss says the key to his side's success in recent weeks is the stability in his team, which has been unchanged for a run of three wins in four.

But that could be upset tomorrow with Matthew Oakley, Marian Pahars and Jason Dodd all facing a race against time to be fit.

Strachan said: "We have picked up one or two wee knocks. Matthew Oakley played on last week with a bad knee injury and he's still feeling sore so he has to be a doubt.

"Marian's cricked his neck in bed. I'm not sure what he's done there - I don't like to ask him! And Jason is feeling a bit under the weather.

"I think it has shown with our results how important it is to have stability in the side. I have said all along that if you look at the teams who are not in the top echelon the ones who keep the same sides are the ones that usually do quite well.

"You just have to hope that your team works as a unit but the unit has been unchanged and it may be changed at the weekend and it's whether various people can come in and keep the unit working.

"The best players may not come in but the best players for that unit on the day may come in."

Strachan is not intimidated by the prospect of playing Manchester United tomorrow or the run which sees them play both the Old Trafford men and Liverpool home and away, Tottenham and Leeds at St Mary's and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - because he doesn't look at the fixture list!

"It becomes fast and furious," he said. "I suddenly just remembered the other night we were playing Tottenham on Boxing Day.

"I honestly couldn't tell you how the games come. I know we are playing Tottenham next after Man United and that's your lot."