MATTHEW OAKLEY is hoping a special insole will cure his back problems after it was discovered he has one leg shorter than the other.

The Saints midfielder limped out of Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Ipswich with a tight hamstring, which was actually caused by a pain in his back.

Oakley has a history of back problems and saw a chiropractor yesterday in a bid to be fit for Friday night's trip to Coventry.

But Oakley was surprised when he discovered the diagnosis.

"We went right back through all my scans and x-rays I've had over the years, and he discovered that I have one leg longer than the other," said the Saints midfielder.

"Apparently, my right leg is between half a centimetre and a centimetre longer than my left, and that may have caused all the back problems I have had in the past."

To help cure the problem, Oakley will wear a specially constructed insole in his boots to try and even himself up.

"Hopefully that will do the trick," said Oakley.

Saints assistant boss John Gorman described as "complete rubbish" reports suggesting Saints were interested in a straight swap deal that would bring Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris to The Dell with Marian Pahars going to Stamford Bridge.