GLENN HODDLE will get a short sharp response if he tries to prise Dean Richards away from Saints.

The former Southampton boss is rumoured to be lining up a £6 million bid for the influential centre-back who signed a new four-year contract in March.

It's also been suggested Spurs striker Les Ferdinand could be part of any deal, seeing the former England marksman move south.

But Saints are determined to hang on to their prize asset and it would surely need at least a £10m offer before they even considered selling.

And they'd be even more reluctant to sell to Spurs given the ill-feeling over the way they lured Hoddle away from The Dell last season.

Manager Stuart Gray said: "We have not heard anything apart from the rumours in the national press and, if Glenn did offer £6m, he would get short shrift.

"I certainly wouldn't want to let him go. He is a key man for us and what would I get for £6m to replace him?"

l Rory Delap has been named by Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy in a preliminary squad of 39 players for a friendly later this month.

The Irish take on Croatia on August 15, a warm-up for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Holland a fortnight later.