Make me an offer I can't refuse! That's the plea from Saints' in-form striker James Beattie who is ready to commit his future to the club.

Beattie extended his scorching scoring run to nine goals in as many matches by hitting the first in last night's 2-0 win over Tottenham at The Dell.

Before this burst he had gone 18 months without a goal and almost ended up moving to Crystal Palace for £3 million.

Now, though, he is hoping his exploits have done enough to convince the club he loves to offer him an improved extension to his contract which has just 18 months left to run.

He said: "I would be very happy to sit down and talk terms. If the club offer me a reasonable deal then I will sign.

"I feel as though I have made Southampton my home since I moved here from Blackburn. I have a lot of good friends here and I like the club and the fans, so I am not looking to leave.

"Ideally I hope my long-term future is here. I would like a new deal but that is up the chairman. If he wants to talk then I am more than willing to listen but it is out of my hands."

Beattie's hugely consistent form has seen him surpass the exploits which won him the Echo Player of the Season award 18 months ago.

On the back of that he was offered a new contract but turned it down saying it was only a minimal increase.

Last season was wrecked by injury and a resulting dip in form which prevented him from proving his worth.

But he had no hesitation turning down the chance of a move to Crystal Palace to fight for his place here and now he is hoping that commitment will be rewarded.

He added: "I have said all along that I want to stay here. I did not talk to Crystal Palace when they came in for me earlier in the season because I did not want to go. I want to play for Southampton.

"I got a bit of stick from a few people last season after I turned down a new deal but that did not mean that I wanted to leave.

"I just wanted a fair reward. I had signed on a reserve team player's wage and I am still on that now. But I really do want to stay here and I would love to sign on again."

Kevin Davies got the second with his first goal in 17 games since April 15 and admitted: "It is a real weight off my mind.

"It has been a long time coming but I had a feeling I would score against Spurs. A few of my mates even backed me but unfortunately mine was not the first goal.

"But that hardly matters. The most important thing was that we went on to win the game and now we need to follow it up at home to Derby on Saturday."

Chris Marsden and Mark Draper are both doubts after limping out of last night's victory. Marsden went off at the interval with a groin injury while Draper has a dead leg.

However Hassan Kachloul and Kevin Gibbens will be available following suspension.

Saints boss Glenn Hoddle has denied a rush of rumours linking him with Bradford goalkeeper Matt Clarke, Birmingham striker Mark Burchill and Rennes forward Cedric Bordon.

He also slapped down rumours of a big bid for Marian Pahars saying: "We have watched Burchill but that is it and there is nothing in the other rumours at all.

"There is definitely nothing in the Pahars story. I don't know where these rumours come from."

There was an angry exchange of words at the final whistle as Spurs boss George Graham flared up at John Gorman following some banter which got out of hand during the game.

However the pair made up amicably in the dressing room corridor after the match.