DEAN RICHARDS has put his hand up to volunteer for fire fighting duty, even though he knows he may be attempting to douse a raging inferno with the equivalent of a bucket of water.

The Saints defender looks certain to return to action for today's clash with Chelsea after six weeks injury absence and with a minimum of training under his belt.

That would be difficult enough under normal circumstances but Richards return will brush him up against the hottest striker in the country at the moment, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The Dutchman has scored six goals in The Blues last two games and Richards admits: "He's on fire at the moment."

"It will be a big test against Jimmy, especially because of my fitness," says Richards who wouldn't mind a repeat of his last heavyweight showdown with the striker who Chelsea paid Atletico Madrid £14million for.

"I played against him before when I was at Wolves and he was playing for Leeds.

"I came out on top that day as we beat them 1-0 in the quarter-final of the FA Cup at Elland Road. But I know it will be a real test against him, especially of my fitness."

"Jimmy is strong and quick and powerful - he's a real handful. But we can't make specific plans to combat one player like Jimmy when Chelsea have got world class players all over the park like Zola and Gus Poyet who can also pop up anywhere to score goals."

Richards and boss Glenn Hoddle know they are taking a gamble, but it's one both were prepared to make.

"The boss knows I'm not 100 per cent fit, I've been out for six weeks but he asked me how I felt and I said I was willing to play to help the team out.

"It boils down to if I was willing to take the chance, he was willing to take the chance on me."