HASSAN KACHLOUL will fight the misconduct charge levelled at him by the FA.

And he will get the full backing of the club who may be prepared to open up a can of worms to clear the Moroccan midfielder from a charge that could earn him a three-match ban.

Kachloul was yesterday formally charged by the FA for his part in the stormy end to Saints 1-0 win over Leeds at The Dell two weeks ago, when Kachloul was alleged to have attempted to head-butt Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer.

But last night Kachloul vowed to fight the charge - even though he was unsure what he was fighting!

This is Kachloul's first such brush with football authority following the first dismissal of his career, and he said: "I've not been in this position before and don't what the procedure is."

Kachloul has 14 days to respond to the charge, and he said: "I can't say too much at the moment as I have to speak to people at the club. But I intend to fight this all the way."

Kachloul can be sure of backing from his employers, with chairman Rupert Lowe promising to rigorously defend the midfielder.

Saints case may go beyond the volcanic end to the match at The Dell, back to last season's meeting at Elland Road which also had a fiery ending, and which might well have provided the original source of bad blood.

Kachloul was the alleged object of racist remarks by Leeds players and, although the Moroccan has kept publicly mum over that episode, it could form part of his defence or plea for leniency.

l Former Saints boss Dave Jones has said he is interested in the vacant manager's job at Wolves, following Colin Lee's exit.

Jones, who is looking to get back into the game following the collapse of the Crown Court case earlier this month, said: "I am definitely interested in the vacancy.

"I have made it clear that I am keen to get back into football management as quickly as possible, and everybody knows about the huge potential at Molineux.

"It is a sad fact that people in my position have to wait for others to be dismissed to be offered a new opportunity.

"I was sorry to hear about Colin's departure, but now I will be waiting with interest to see if there is any approach from Wolves. If there is, I would be happy to talk."