GLENN HODDLE may be forced to gamble on the fitness of Dean Richards or Uwe Rosler tomorrow as his injury crisis deepens for the home game with Chelsea.

Definitely out is midfielder Hassan Kachloul, who will be sidelined for at least a week with a groin strain, while there are doubts over skipper Jason Dodd and striker Kevin Davies.

Dodd, took a kick on an Achilles during Wednesday's Worthington Cup defeat against Coventry, while Davies has a calf injury. But both are likely to play with Matthew Oakley expected to recover from his calf problem.

Yet, with 13 other players in the treatment room, Hoddle's resources are stretched to the limit for a game which has taken on huge significance after a dismal slump in form.

Saints have not scored for 315 minutes and have lost four and drawn one of their last five to slide into the relegation zone for the first time since Hoddle took charge.

After four Dell defeats, they desperately need a home win to kick-start the campaign and that may prompt Hoddle to pitch last season's Player of the Year straight back into action.

He said: "Dean has had four days' training and five weeks out, and although Uwe has had ten days' training, he's not played any games with this week's reserve match being called off.

"It would be a massive risk to throw them in but it might be one I have to take. I will see how everyone shapes up tomorrow morning."

Dodd insists he will play through any pain and is delighted that the big centre-back is ready to show the same battling spirit.

He said: "Deano is desperate to get back. He is going to be short of fitness and people have to understand that he won't be quite the same player he was before he went out.

"But he won't shirk it. He realises that we desperately need to win this one, and he is willing to go out and battle for the cause. That is what we need right now."

Kachloul, though, is already doubtful for next weekend's trip to Sunderland. He said: "I stretched my groin when I went for a cross by Marian at the far post. I just failed to put the ball in - it turned out to be offside anyway.

"It is frustrating because Chelsea is a big game. I wanted to help us get a result because we desperately need one, but it is not going to happen for me. It will be a week or ten days."

Despite the injury problems and lack of goals, Hoddle is adamant Saints can turn the corner, saying: "If it was April I would be worried but there is a long way to go and plenty of time to work on things.

"When I first went to Chelsea, the team was not creating chances and that was a concern, but that is not the case here. We just need to get our noses in front.

"We have only taken the lead at home once, and that was against Newcastle, which was our best display of the season.

"I can understand the crowd's frustration. We feel like they do and are just as disappointed. But it is not down to lack of effort and we are working hard to turn it round quickly."