MATTHEW LE TISSIER is facing up to the unthinkable prospect that he may not be a Saints player when he stages his long-awaited testimonial game.

Chairman Rupert Lowe has said he would love for the first fixture at the new Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium next summer to be the crowd hero's benefit match.

The Southampton midfielder is in the process of applying for permission to hold a game with the date and opposition likely to hinge on the progress of building work at the ground.

But with his contract due to expire in June and no word so far on a new one, Le Tissier is realistic enough to know that he may end up moving on before then.

Le Tissier said: "I have not heard anything about a new contract yet so I will sit here and wait, and see what happens."

The crowd favourite has stuck with the club he joined as an apprentice just after his 18th birthday, despite numerous opportunities to join more glamorous outfits.

He has always stressed he is happy to stay with Southampton so long as they remain in the Premiership, and he has repeatedly proved the inspiration to keep them up, at times against seemingly impossible odds.

That continued survival has made the new stadium possible - but now Le Tissier fears Saints may move there without him.

He still retains massive self-belief in his own brilliant abilities, but accepts he cannot rest on his laurels and that the club are probably playing a waiting game.

Le Tissier said: "In two months' time I can negotiate a pre-contract agreement abroad, although that is not something I particularly fancy.

"As it stands at the moment I will be a free agent at the end of the season and then it depends what offers are on the table."