DEAN RICHARDS is battling to be fit to make his home league debut for Saints in tomorrow's sell-out clash against Leeds.

The new centre-back was unable to train yesterday after hurting an ankle in a crunching slide tackle on Moustapha Hadji in Saturday's 1-0 win at Coventry.

Matthew Le Tissier did not train yesterday because of his troublesome Achilles but it is Richards who is the bigger doubt at the moment.

He said: "It is sore at the moment but hopefully it will settle down in time for tomorrow night when we will be looking to build on a great opening result.

"We always felt if we kept it tight then we had a chance of nicking a goal and that is how it worked out. The result has given us all a lift and now if we can take four points from these two home games it will give us a dream start."

If Richards does recover as expected, he will renew battle with Michael Bridges who impressed him last season for Sunderland against Wolves. Bridges could well be playing as a lone striker tomorrow night with young starlet Alan Smith doubtful with an ankle injury.

Richards said: "He came on as substitute at our place and it was clear he is a good finisher. If you give him a chance he will take it. He got eight goals last season and only started 13 games. "He is still not 100 per cent fit having missed some of pre-season through his move. It will be hard for him going to a big club and he will be under a lot of pressure especially with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink going but he is a good player."

Marian Pahars will tomorrow be hoping to continue a momentous week by firing Saints to victory against Leeds.

He said: "Life is good right now. It was my birthday last Thursday, my son Marat was born on Saturday morning and we won at Coventry. It was disappointing to miss the birth but there was no question of missing the game."

The Leeds clash is now a complete sell-out but Saints still have around 500 tickets remaining for Sunday's visit of Newcastle. They are now on sale to members and season ticket holders. Any remaining will go on general sale at 9am on Thursday.

Newcastle will come to The Dell without a Premiership point following last night's second successive defeat. They went down 3-1 at Tottenham despite taking the lead through Nolberto Solano.

Saints have been linked with a possible move for Viking Stavanger midfielder Magnus Svensson who impressed against them during a pre-season friendly.

Reports in the Norwegian press suggest that if Dave Jones does make a bid for the Swedish international he will face competition from Watford, Sunderland, Wimbledon and Sheffield United.

Svensson had a meaty battle with Mark Hughes in Southampton's recent 3-1 defeat on a waterlogged pitch and is said to be keen to come to England.

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